Memphis ceased to be the capital, and a new dynasty, the Ninth, was founded by the feudal prince of Herakleopolis, now Ahnas, south of the Fayyum.

For a time the Tenth dynasty succeeded in reducing its rebellious vassals to obedience, but the princes of Thebes steadily grew in strength, and at length one of them seized the throne of the Pharaohs and established the Eleventh dynasty.

Thebes became the capital of the kingdom, and under the Twelfth dynasty was the capital of an empire.
Once more Egypt revived.

The power of the aristocracy was broken, and the local princes became court officials.

Temples were built, and engineering works undertaken all over the country.