Mentuhotep III

Mentuhotep III was a pharaoh of the Eleventh Dynasty who ruled a united and stable Egypt following the long, transformative reign of his father, Mentuhotep II. Inheriting a prosperous state, he directed royal resources toward architectural patronage, religious restorations, and trading ventures rather than civil conflict. He reigned about 2009 to 1997 BC, with dates uncertain by about 15 years.

One of the hallmark achievements of his twelve-year reign was a state-sponsored commercial expedition of three thousand men through the Wadi Hammamat to the Red Sea, headed toward the distant trade destination of Punt to acquire incense and exotic goods. In Thebes, he commissioned a temple dedicated to Thoth high atop Thoth Hill. He was succeeded by Mentuhotep IV, the son of Queen Imi.

Scholars know him from royal quarry inscriptions in the Wadi Hammamat, temple remains across Upper Egypt, and surviving biographical texts left by high-ranking expedition leaders.

Monuments

• Temple of Thoth on Thoth Hill, Thebes
• Expedition to Punt inscriptions

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Try the name on the Cartouche Desk, or see where the reign falls on the timeline.