Mentuhotep III

king of Egypt

Also known as: Sankhkare Mentuhotep

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June 30, 2026

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Mentuhotep III was a king of ancient Egypt's 11th dynasty, ruling from approximately 1958 to 1947 BCE. He succeeded his father, Mentuhotep II, who had reunified Egypt and ushered in the Middle Kingdom period. Mentuhotep III and his successor, Mentuhotep IV, continued to rule from Thebes. The reign of Mentuhotep IV is notable for a seven-year gap in historical records, and he may have been considered illegitimate. The vizier Amenemhet likely succeeded Mentuhotep IV, founding the 12th dynasty and moving the capital to the Memphite area.12

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ancient Egypt
The Middle Kingdom
Mentuhotep II’s successors, Mentuhotep III (c. 1958–47 bce) and Mentuhotep IV (c. 1947–40 bce), also ruled from Thebes. The reign of Mentuhotep IV corresponds to seven years marked “missing” in the Turin Canon, and he may later have been deemed illegitimate. Records of a quarrying expedition to the…
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Mentuhotep II’s successors, Mentuhotep III (c. 1958–47 bce) and Mentuhotep IV (c. 1947–40 bce), also ruled from Thebes. The reign of Mentuhotep IV corresponds to seven years marked “missing” in the Turin Canon, and he may later have been deemed illegitimate. Records of a quarrying expedition to the…
Read More