The relative chronology of the 11th Dynasty is well established by contemporary attestations and, except for count Intef and Mentuhotep IV, by the Turin canon.

This dynasty traces its origins to a nomarch of Thebes, "Intef the Great, son of Iku",[1] who is mentioned in a number of contemporary inscriptions.

Warfare continued intermittently between the Theban and Heracleapolitan dynasts until shortly before the 39th regnal year of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II, when the Herakleopolitans were defeated, and this dynasty could begin to consolidate their rule.

The rulers of the 11th Dynasty reasserted Egypt's influence over her neighbors in Africa and the Near East.

The only certain details of Mentuhotep's reign was that two remarkable omens were witnessed at the quarry of Wadi Hammamat by the vizier Amenemhat.