First Intermediate Period marks the period of perhaps the most severe political, economical and cultural “crisis” in ancient Egyptian history. In this period the 7-10th dynasty is included and also the first part of the 11th dynasty with the ancestral Mentuhotep I and the three Intefs. Generally speaking the dynasties of the first intermediate period weren’t dynasties that had complete control over the entire country. Warlords and self-proclaimed kings all were most likely involved in a game of thrones. Wars between neighbouring city states was a reality, the central government and order of the Old Kingdom was dissolved.
- Time period: c. 2181–2055 BCE
- Capital: Memphis (7-8th dynasty), Heracleopolis (9-10th dynasty), Thebes (11th dynasty)
Defining Features & Notable Events
Egypt was divided into two main opposing bases of power, Upper and Lower Egypt, similar to the predynastic period.
One of the main defining features of the first intermediate period is the short-lived nature of the rulers in different parts of Egypt.
Many Nubian soldiers seem to have served under the Egyptians during the first intermediate period.
Shortly after the death of Pepi II, the centralized and orderly government of the Old Kingdom, collapsed. Maybe not immediately but surely.
Notable Kings/Pharaohs/Warlords
The First Intermediate Period is characterized by short lived rulers, according to Manetho, 70 rulers for 70 days, which was most definitely an exaggeration to describe the instability of the times.
7th Dynasty
If the 7th dynasty of Egypt did exist, it would mark the beginning of the first intermediate period, however this dynasty has traditionally been considered as being non-existent or fictitious by most egyptologists. Manetho allegedly describes the 7th dynasty as being chaotic in his Aegyptica and since little is actually known about this dynasty, many notable egyptologists have proclaimed that it probably didn’t exist. However it should be noted that recently some scholars challenge that conclusion.
8-10th Dynasty
- Ankhtify, the warlord of Hefat (8-10th dynasty) His tomb was in Mo’alla close to Thebes in Upper Egypt.
11th Dynasty (XI)
The early part of the 11th dynasty is often included in the second intermediate period, while the latter part of the 11th dynasty, that is starting with Mentuhotep II’s reunion of Upper and Lower Egypt is considered the beginning of the Middle Kingdom.
- Mentuhotep I
- Intef I
- Intef II
- Intef III
Notable Temples, Monuments and Works of Art
Tomb of Anktify in Mo’alla.
Trivia
This was most likely a time when bandits and graverobbers roamed the country, stole and destroyed what was previously held to be holy and untouchable. The pyramids, tombs and temples of the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom wasn’t spared.
Daniel Seeker is a wandering dervish and lifelong student of the past, present and future. He realized that he was made of immaculate and timeless consciousness when meditating in his hermit cave on the island of Gotland. His writings are mostly a reflection of that realizaton. Daniel currently studies history, philosophy, egyptology and western esotericism at Uppsala Universitet. He’s also currently writing his B.A. thesis in history which explores how Buddhist and Hindu texts were first properly translated and introduced to the western world in the late 18th and 19th century.