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Stela of King Intef II Wahankh

First Intermediate Period
ca. 2108–2059 B.C.
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 104
Horus Wahankh Intef II was the third king of Dynasty 11, a period when Egypt was not unified under one ruler. Intef II engaged in numerous battles with the rival rulers of Heracleopolis (the capital of the northern part of the country) and eventually secured control over southern Egypt, from Abydos to Aswan. This laid the foundation for the reunification of the country under King Mentuhotep II (07.230.2; 26.3.29)

This stele was probably one of a number of small stela set up in the courtyard of his tomb at Thebes. The king presents a bowl of beer and a jug of milk to the god Re and the goddess Hathor. He is wearing a minutely pleated kilt, heavy broad collar and elaborately curled wig. The figure is well carved in very high raised relief. The text of the stele includes a request to Re for protection during the night and a hymn of praise to Hathor as well as a prayer for mortuary offerings.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Stela of King Intef II Wahankh
  • Period: First Intermediate Period
  • Dynasty: Dynasty 11
  • Reign: reign of Intef II
  • Date: ca. 2108–2059 B.C.
  • Geography: From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, El Tarif possibly; (none assigned
  • Medium: Limestone
  • Dimensions: H. 44.5 × W. 46 × Th. 11.5 cm, 29.8 kg (17 1/2 × 18 1/8 × 4 1/2 in., 65.8 lb.)
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1913
  • Object Number: 13.182.3
  • Curatorial Department: Egyptian Art

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