After Pepi's death, decades of provincial rivalry and chaos ensued, with petty dynasties claiming the mantle of the Old Kingdom. The Greek historian Manetho records seventy rulers during the brief VII Dynasty (c.2181-2173), while an unknown number of kings vainly asserted their claims from Memphis during the VIII Dynasty (c.2173-2160).

 

When rains failed over the Ethiopian highlands, famine struck Egypt, exacerbating civil disorder. Weak principalities sought powerful allies such as Heracleopolis , the dominant city of the Twentieth Nome, whose ruler, Achthoes , gained control of Middle Egypt, assumed the throne name Meryibre, and founded the IX Dynasty (c.2160-2130).

Whereas most of the north came under the control of the IX and X Dynasty (c.2130-2040) kings of Heracleopolis, Upper Egypt was contested by the rulers of Edfu and Thebes. After vanquishing his rival, the Theban ruler Inyotef Sehertowy tried to extend his power beyond Upper Egypt, founding the XI Dynasty (c.2133-1991 BC). The struggle between north and south was only finally resolved by Nebhepetre Mentuhotpe II , who reunited the whole country under one authority, establishing the Middle Kingdom in 2050 BC.