Who's Who of Egyptian people, queens and family: Baket III

Baket III

Eleventh Dynasty

During the First Intermediate Period, after the end of the Old Kingdom, the central authority of the monarchy was greatly weakened and the provincial nobles, especially the nomarchs, the provincial governors, acquired extensive independence and, correspondingly, great power. One of these was Baket III, the Great Chief of the Oryx Nome. However, he seems to have seen which way the wind was blowing, and to have allied himself with the emergent line of Theban princes who were to form the Eleventh Dynasty of kings. In his tomb at Beni Hassan in Middle Egypt, a scene records the attack by soldiers, including non-Egyptians, on a fortress which is defended by Egyptians. This graphically demonstrates the situation which existed at the time when Nebhepetre Montuhotep II was restoring the royal authority. Baket's strategy would appear to have paid off, as his son succeeded him as Nomarch on his death.

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Last Updated: June 20th, 2011