Scarab, symbol of rebirth on a stele

European Museums, The British Museum

---

Scarab, symbol of rebirth on a stele

The stela dates from a time when Thinis, a town further north, was contested between the rulers of Thebes (11th Dynasty) and Herakleopolis (9th/10th Dynasty). The yellow text between the second and third wives reads: 'Year 14 (of the reign of Montuhotep II): the making of this stela and the year of rebellion by Thinis'. Thinis had tried, but failed, to wrest itself from Theban control. The victorious Montuhotep II would go on to push his armies ever further north, eventually ending the Herakleopolitan dynasty itself and reuniting Egypt.

11th Dynasty, Year 14 of Montuhotep II, about 2041 B.C.

From Western Thebes, el-Tarif

Limestone

---

Supplementary images:

• 

---

Scarab, symbol of rebirth on a stele

---

Source:  London, United Kingdom