Intef I

Fact 1 on Intef I:

Name: This pharaoh of ancient Egypt was also known as Inyotef I (Sehertawy). His Horus Name translates as "Horus, the one who makes the two lands satisfied". He is also referred to as the 'Elder'.
 

Fact 2 on Intef I:

Family: His father was Mentuhotep I, "The Elder" and his mother was Queen Neferu.
 

Fact 3 on Intef I:

His original title was "The Heriditary Noble, The Lord And Great Chieftain Of The South, Intef". He then became the first of his dynasty to proclaim himself as king of Egypt and to write his name within a cartouche.
 

Fact 4 on Intef I:

History: He succeeded his father Pharaoh Mentuhotep to the throne of Egypt during an extremely volatile period. The country was divided by two powerful forces based in the southern cities of Herakleopolis and Thebes. Mentuhotep, the Theban ruler, had fought against the Herakleopolitan kings and their allies to become the founder of the 11th dynasty.
 

Fact 5 on Intef I:

Intef became the ruler after the early death of his father. His aim was to continue the fight against the Herakleopolitan kings and their allies. There was also a terrible famine in the country resulting in starving people which added to the chaos in ancient Egypt following the collapse of the Old Kingdom.
 

Fact 6 on Intef I:

The severity of the drought resulted in the massive Lake Faiyum drying up during this period. The drought and subsequent famine also created the fear of an economic crisis in the country.
 

Fact 7 on Intef I:

To add to these enormous problems, the legitimacy of Intef's claim to the throne of Egypt was strongly contested by the rulers of Herakleopolis and the neighboring nomes including the cities of Dendera and Koptos (see map below).
 

Fact 8 on Intef I:

The fight of the Herakleopolitan kings was led by Ankhtifi, the nomarch of Hierakonpolis, described as the "first of all as the chief of his province" and the three surrounding nomes.
 

Fact 9 on Intef I:

Intef succeeded in winning victory over Ankhtifi's Herakleopolitan forces.
 

Fact 10 on Intef I:

Although his victory extended his power over Upper Egypt he failed to achieve his goal of reunification of Upper and Lower Egypt.
 

Fact 11 on Intef I:

He was buried in a Saff tomb burial complex at of El-Tarif in the Theban Necropolis. Saff Tombs were built into a rock face and had a pillar facade and courtyard. The grave chambers and shrines serving as offering chambers were built behind the pillar facade. The rows of pillars in Saff tombs had up to 24 columns and at their sides were chamber tombs of the royal court. All three rulers with the name of Intef were buried in Saff tombs
 

Fact 12 on Intef I:

There are no records providing information about his wife and no mention of his children. He was succeeded by his brother Intef II.