Intef II

 

The Reign & The Conquest

 

Intef II came to the throne after his brother, Intef I. He was the King of Eleventh Dynasty during the First Intermediate Period when Egypt was divided into several Nome. Turin Canon states that his reign was 49 years. Intef II acquired the Horus name of Wahankh after he received the throne. Wahankh means Enduring of Life.

 

 

Intef II extended the Theban Kingdom beyond that of his predecessor and brother, Intef I. After the death of the arch-rival nomarch, Ankhtifi, he was able to unite all the southern Nome down to First Cataract. This fact of authority was established by the discovery of a statue of Intef II in sed festival robe in the sanctuary of Heqaib at Elephantine. Expedition of Djemi from Gebelein to the land of Wawat/Nubia, during his reign, also established this fact of authority being extended to the region of First Cataract as well as over Lower Nubia by his 30th reign-year.

 

Intef II also successfully held Abydos by defeating the kings of Herakleopolis Magna and thus extending his rule to 13th Nome. A stele at his courtyard tomb describes his expedition of capturing the Thinite Nome and thus expanding the Theban kingdom northward to the nome of Aphroditopolis.

 

Attestation: Stele of Tjetjy & Helepy

 

Tjetjy was the chief treasurer of Intef II and his successor, Intef III. His finely-carved tomb stele not only spoke of his parentage but also on the boundary of his rule:  "The Horus Wahankh, king of Upper and Lower Egypt, son of Re, Intef, born of Nefru, he who lives eternally like Re,

this land was under his rule southwards as far as Yebu and reaching as far north as Abydos…” His Stele also demonstrates the influence of the king over his officials who were always ready to follow the king’s orders and always want to keep their king happy. “Moreover, as for every responsibility of the royal palace which the majesty of my lord committed to me, and for which he caused me to perform some task, I did it for him in accordance with everything which his Ka desired…” he had mentioned at one place in the stele.

 

Hetepy, another official, mentioned him in his stele, which proves the fact of the abolition of nomarchs system in Theban controlled territories. He also sings the praise of the king like that of Tjetjy. His Stele also mentioned a famine during the reign of Intef II.

 

The Monuments

 

Intef II started the prolonged tradition of royal building activities in the provincial temples of Upper Egypt throughout the Middle Kingdom. He was also the first one as a ruler to build chapels for Satet and Khnum on the island of Elephantine.

 

Intef II’s tomb is a staff-type with a double row of columns and entryways fronting a large trapezoidal courtyard (820 ft x 230 ft or 250 by 70 meters). According to Ramesside Inscription pyramid was part of the funerary complex. But, there’s no pyramid for Intef II and the probable reason might be “crushed down upon” as mentioned in Abbott Papyrus. His steles not only depict his life and the long 50 years of reign but also bear the name and impression of his pet dogs.