TAA i.2.1.21

It was now that the accession of a line of Mentuheteps, probably a

collateral branch of the Theban family, established the universal

supremacy of Thebes. Mentuhetep I evidently brought the war with

the North to a triumphant close. He boasted with impunity of his victories

over his countrymen and on the walls of his temple at Gebelein he

depicted himself striking down Egyptian and foreigner together, while the

accompanying inscription designates the scene as the "binding of the

Chief of the Two Lands, capturing the South and North land, the foreign

countries and the two regions [Egypt], the Nine Bows [foreigners], and

the Two Lands" [Egypt]. (I.427 H). - thus Egypt was united reunited reunited.

An Intef III, of whom we know nothing, followed Mentuhetep I, but was

supplanted by a second Mentuhetep, who, for a time at least, allowed

Intef III to rule as a vassal under him. (Breasted, I. 415-418; American

Journal of Semitic Languages, Jan. 1905, pp. 150 ff.).

Building enterprises, so long interrupted, were again undertaken,

and on the western plain of Thebes Mentuhetep II erected a small

terraced temple under the cliffs, which afterward served as the model

for queen Hatshepsût's beautiful sanctuary beside it. Its ruins,

recently discovered, constitute the oldest building at Thebes.

His successor, Mentuhetep III, was also able to resume the long

interrupted foreign interprises^sic {enterprises} of the Old Kingdom Pharoahs^sic {Pharaohs}. He

united the responsibility for all commerce with the southern countries

in the hands of a powerful official.

His operations on the Hammamat Route to the Red Sea

were continued by Mentuhetep IV, who followed him.

Amenemhat, Mentuhetep I IV's vizier, left a series of very interesting

inscriptions in the Hammamat quarries, telling of his twenty-five days

sojourn there for the purpose of procuring the blocks for the King's

sarcophagus and lid.

It is evident that the last three Mentuheteps controlled the whole

country, and that they restored the power and prestige of the

Pharoah's^sic {Pharaoh's} office. Its relation to the local lords and nomarchs

we shall soon be able to discern more clearly, as the Theban

family known as the Twelfth Dynasty presently emerges into view.

It was but natural that the kings of the XI^th dyn. should reside at Thebes,

where the founders of the family had lived during the long war for the conquest of

the North. But Amenemhet was evidently unable to continue this

tradition. It is easy to imagine why he concluded that his presence was

necessary to maintain his position among the northern nomarchs, who may

still have felt leanings toward the fallen house of Heracleopolis