Khety II

Khety II was a ruler of the Ninth Dynasty who governed from Herakleopolis in the First Intermediate Period. He reigned around 2140 BC to 2130 BC, though dates for this era remain uncertain by about forty years. He followed Neferkare VII and was succeeded by Wahkare Khety.

Khety II presided over a divided realm, maintaining control over northern and central Egypt while encountering increasing resistance from the rising local rulers of Thebes in the south. Unlike many contemporary kings, his name resonated strongly in later Middle Kingdom literature. He is famously depicted as the king in the classic literary text The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant, in which a wronged farmer appeals directly for royal justice.

Scholars confirm his historical existence through material remains, including a stone balance weight discovered at Tell el-Rataba in the Nile Delta. His burial place remains undiscovered, and his mummy has not been found.

Monuments

• Tale of the Eloquent Peasant mention
• Weight found at Tell el-Rataba

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