26b: Intef the Great, Part 2 - The First Intermediate Period (Part 5b)

04/14/14 • 54 min

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Newly researched and updated in 2024.

Intef the Great, Part 2. The war for Ta-Wer. The Thebans had seized the sacred city of Abdju (Abydos) in the district of Ta-Wer. The northern rulers, from the House of Khety, contested this violently. Inscriptions and art reveal the movements of armies, the clashes on field and river, and the sieging of major towns. Soon, things going downright apocalyptic. Also... dogs!

Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net.
Music and interludes by Jeffrey Goodman www.jeffreygoodman.com.
Interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com.
Logo image: Intef II, from a stela in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Intro: Saruman's Speech from The Two Towers (2002), adapted by Dominic Perry.
Fawlty Towers excerpts via Britbox Don't Mention the War | Fawlty Towers (youtube.com ).

The History of Egypt Podcast:

Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.
Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.
Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.

Partial Bibliography:

M. D. Adams, ‘Community and Society in Egypt in the First Intermediate Period: An Archaeological Investigation of the Abydos Settlement Site’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Michigan (2005).
D. Arnold, Gräber des Alten und Mittleren Reiches in El-Tarif (Mainz, 1976).
D. D. Baker, Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs Volume I: Predynastic to the Twentieth Dynasty 3300 - 1069 BC (Cairo, 2008).
H. Brunner, Die Texte aus den Gräbern der Herakleopolitenzeit von Siut mit Übersetzung und Erläuterungen (Glückstadt, 1937).
J. J. Clère and J. Vandier, Textes de la Première Période Intermédiare et de la XIeme Dynastie (Brussels, 1948).
J. C. Darnell and D. Darnell, ‘New Inscriptions of the Late First Intermediate Period from the Theban Western Desert and the Beginnings of the Northern Expansion of the Eleventh Dynasty’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 56 (1997), 241--258.
W. Ejsmond, ‘The Nubian Mercenaries of Gebelein in Light of Recent Field Research’, Journal of Ancient Egyptian Interconnections 14 (2017), 11--13.
N. Fields, Soldier of the Pharaoh: Middle Kingdom Egypt 2055--1650 BC (2007).
H. G. Fischer, Inscriptions from the Coptite Nome: Dynasties VI-XI (Analecta orientalia 40; Rome, 1964).
H. G. Fischer, ‘Provincial Inscriptions of the Heracleopolitan Period’, Varia Nova, Egyptian Studies 3 (New York, 1996), 79--90.
G. P. Gilbert, Weapons, Warriors, and Warfare in Early Egypt (Oxford, 2004).
H. Goedicke, ‘The Inscription of Dmi’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 19 (1960), 288--291.
W. Grajetzki, The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt (London, 2006 & 2024).
R. Landgráfová, It Is My Good Name That You Should Remember: Egyptian Biographical Texts on Middle Kingdom Stelae (Prague, 2011).
M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms (Los Angeles, 1973).
M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Autobiographies Chiefly of the Middle Kingdom: A Study and an Anthology (Freiburg, 1988).
D. O’Connor, Abydos: Egypt’s First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris (London, 2009).
S. Seidlmayer, ‘The First Intermediate Period (c. 2160--2055 BC)’, in I. Shaw (ed.), The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (Oxford, 2000), 108--136.
I. Shaw, Ancient Egyptian Warfare (Oxford, 2019).
J. Wegner, ‘The Stela of Idudju-Iker, Foremost-One of the Chiefs of Wawat: New Evidence on the Conquest of Thinis Under Wahankh Antef II’, Revue d’égyptologie 68 (2018), 153--209.
T. Wilkinson, The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt: The History of a Civilisation from 3000 BC to Cleopatra (London, 2010).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newly researched and updated in 2024.

Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net.
Music and interludes by Jeffrey Goodman www.jeffreygoodman.com.
Interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com.
Logo image: Intef II, from a stela in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Intro: Saruman's Speech from The Two Towers (2002), adapted by Dominic Perry.
Fawlty Towers excerpts via Britbox Don't Mention the War | Fawlty Towers (youtube.com ).

The History of Egypt Podcast:

Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.
Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.
Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.

Partial Bibliography:

M. D. Adams, ‘Community and Society in Egypt in the First Intermediate Period: An Archaeological Investigation of the Abydos Settlement Site’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Michigan (2005).
D. Arnold, Gräber des Alten und Mittleren Reiches in El-Tarif (Mainz, 1976).
D. D. Baker, Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs Volume I: Predynastic to the Twentieth Dynasty 3300 - 1069 BC (Cairo, 2008).
H. Brunner, Die Texte aus den Gräbern der Herakleopolitenzeit von Siut mit Übersetzung und Erläuterungen (Glückstadt, 1937).
J. J. Clère and J. Vandier, Textes de la Première Période Intermédiare et de la XIeme Dynastie (Brussels, 1948).
J. C. Darnell and D. Darnell, ‘New Inscriptions of the Late First Intermediate Period from the Theban Western Desert and the Beginnings of the Northern Expansion of the Eleventh Dynasty’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 56 (1997), 241--258.
W. Ejsmond, ‘The Nubian Mercenaries of Gebelein in Light of Recent Field Research’, Journal of Ancient Egyptian Interconnections 14 (2017), 11--13.
N. Fields, Soldier of the Pharaoh: Middle Kingdom Egypt 2055--1650 BC (2007).
H. G. Fischer, Inscriptions from the Coptite Nome: Dynasties VI-XI (Analecta orientalia 40; Rome, 1964).
H. G. Fischer, ‘Provincial Inscriptions of the Heracleopolitan Period’, Varia Nova, Egyptian Studies 3 (New York, 1996), 79--90.
G. P. Gilbert, Weapons, Warriors, and Warfare in Early Egypt (Oxford, 2004).
H. Goedicke, ‘The Inscription of Dmi’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 19 (1960), 288--291.
W. Grajetzki, The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt (London, 2006 & 2024).
R. Landgráfová, It Is My Good Name That You Should Remember: Egyptian Biographical Texts on Middle Kingdom Stelae (Prague, 2011).
M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms (Los Angeles, 1973).
M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Autobiographies Chiefly of the Middle Kingdom: A Study and an Anthology (Freiburg, 1988).
D. O’Connor, Abydos: Egypt’s First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris (London, 2009).
S. Seidlmayer, ‘The First Intermediate Period (c. 2160--2055 BC)’, in I. Shaw (ed.), The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (Oxford, 2000), 108--136.
I. Shaw, Ancient Egyptian Warfare (Oxford, 2019).
J. Wegner, ‘The Stela of Idudju-Iker, Foremost-One of the Chiefs of Wawat: New Evidence on the Conquest of Thinis Under Wahankh Antef II’, Revue d’égyptologie 68 (2018), 153--209.
T. Wilkinson, The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt: The History of a Civilisation from 3000 BC to Cleopatra (London, 2010).

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Previous Episode

26a: Intef the Great, Part 1 - The First Intermediate Period (Part 5a)

Newly researched and updated in 2024.

Intef the Great (c.2050—2000 BCE), Part 1. The reign of Intef II, ruler of Waset (Thebes) shows a sudden surge in expansion and conflict. Seeking absolute power over the south, Intef brought major districts like Abu (Elephantine) into his territory. He made alliances with the rulers of Wawat (Nubia). Then, he sent his armies north to seize a sacred city...

Episode details:

Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net.
Music and interludes by Jeffrey Goodman www.jeffreygoodman.com.
Interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com.
Logo image: Intef II, from a stela in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The History of Egypt Podcast:

Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.
Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.
Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.

Select Bibligraphy:

M. D. Adams, ‘Community and Society in Egypt in the First Intermediate Period: An Archaeological Investigation of the Abydos Settlement Site’, Unpublished PhD. Thesis, University of Michigan (2005).
D. Arnold, Gräber des Alten und Mittleren Reiches in El-Tarif (Mainz, 1976).
D. D. Baker, Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs Volume I: Predynastic to the Twentieth Dynasty 3300 - 1069 BC (Cairo, 2008).
H. Brunner, Die Texte aus den Gräbern der Herakleopolitenzeit von Siut mit Übersetzung und Erläuterungen (Glückstadt, 1937).
J. J. Clère and J. Vandier, Textes de la Première Période Intermédiare et de la XIeme Dynastie (Brussels, 1948).
J. C. Darnell and D. Darnell, ‘New Inscriptions of the Late First Intermediate Period from the Theban Western Desert and the Beginnings of the Northern Expansion of the Eleventh Dynasty’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 56 (1997), 241--258.
W. Ejsmond, ‘The Nubian Mercenaries of Gebelein in Light of Recent Field Research’, Journal of Ancient Egyptian Interconnections 14 (2017), 11--13.
N. Fields, Soldier of the Pharaoh: Middle Kingdom Egypt 2055--1650 BC (2007).
H. G. Fischer, Inscriptions from the Coptite Nome: Dynasties VI-XI (Analecta orientalia 40; Rome, 1964).
H. G. Fischer, ‘Provincial Inscriptions of the Heracleopolitan Period’, Varia Nova, Egyptian Studies 3 (New York, 1996), 79--90.
G. P. Gilbert, Weapons, Warriors, and Warfare in Early Egypt (Oxford, 2004).
H. Goedicke, ‘The Inscription of Dmi’, Journal of Near Eastern Studies 19 (1960), 288--291.
W. Grajetzki, The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt (London, 2006 & 2024).
R. Landgráfová, It Is My Good Name That You Should Remember: Egyptian Biographical Texts on Middle Kingdom Stelae (Prague, 2011).
M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms (Los Angeles, 1973).
M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Autobiographies Chiefly of the Middle Kingdom: A Study and an Anthology (Freiburg, 1988).
D. O’Connor, Abydos: Egypt’s First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris (London, 2009).
S. Seidlmayer, ‘The First Intermediate Period (c. 2160--2055 BC)’, in I. Shaw (ed.), The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (Oxford, 2000), 108--136.
I. Shaw, Ancient Egyptian Warfare (Oxford, 2019).
J. Wegner, ‘The Stela of Idudju-Iker, Foremost-One of the Chiefs of Wawat: New Evidence on the Conquest of Thinis Under Wahankh Antef II’, Revue d’égyptologie 68 (2018), 153--209.
T. Wilkinson, The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt: The History of a Civilisation from 3000 BC to Cleopatra (London, 2010).

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Next Episode

26c: A Legacy in Flames - The First Intermediate Period (Part 6)

Newly researched and updated in 2024.

Ta-Wer howled. Around 2000 BCE, the southern kingdom was rising quickly. But the north was not out of the fight. Not by a long shot...

Episode chapters

Prologue – A Royal Inspection (00:30).
The Fall of Tjeni / Thinis (07:25).
The Long Reign of Intef II (11:58).
Intef’s Dogs (20:58).
Khety Merykara (34:03).
Making Ta-Wer Howl (47:25).
Conclusion (01:06:37).
Epilogue – Intef’s Hymns for Ra and Hathor (01:08:30).

Dendera excavations: Moeller and Marouard, The Development of Two Early Urban Centres - Edfu and Dendara (2018).

The History of Egypt Podcast:

Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com.
Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast.
Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments.
Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net.
Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com.
Logo image: The "Dog Stela" of Intef II, from his tomb at El-Tarif (Mariette 1858).

Select Bibliography:

A. E. Demidchik, ‘The Reign of Merikare Khety’, Göttinger Miszellen 192 (2003), 25--36.
A. Dodson and D. Hilton, The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt (London, 2004).
C. Langer, ‘The Political Realism of the Egyptian Elite: A Comparison Between The Teaching for Merikare and Niccolò Machiavelli’s Il Principe’, Journal of Egyptian History 8 (2015), 49--79.
R. J. Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary (Wilson, 2013).
M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms (Los Angeles, 1973).
M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Autobiographies Chiefly of the Middle Kingdom: A Study and an Anthology (Freiburg, 1988).
J. Malek, ‘King Merykare and his Pyramid’, in C. Berger et al. (eds), Hommages à Jean Leclant, 4, 4 vols (Cairo, 1994), 203--214.
G. Maspero, ‘On the Name of An Egyptian Dog’, Transactions of the Society of Biblical Archaeology V (1877), 127--128.
R. B. Parkinson, The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems (1940—1640 BC) (Oxford, 1997).
R. B. Parkinson, Poetry and Culture in Middle Kingdom Egypt: A Dark Side to Perfection (London, 2002).
D. Polz, Die Sogenannte Hundestele des Königs Wah-Anch Intef aus el-Târif: Eine Forschungsgeschichte (Wiesbaden, 2019).
D. Polz, ‘Dra’ Abu el-Naga, Ägypten: ein angeblicher Fund aus Dra’ Abu el-Naga. Die sog. Hundestele des Königs Wah-Anch Intef. Eine Forschungsgeschichte’, e-Forschungsberichte des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts 2020 (2020), 12--16.
S. Quirke, Egyptian Literature 1800 BC: Questions and Readings (London, 2004).
D. B. Spanel, ‘The Herakleopolitan Tombs of Kheti I, Jt(.j)jb(.j), and Kheti II at Asyut’, Orientalia 58 (1989), 301--314.