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Better with Pepsi Max. Welcome back to the Egyptian history podcast, episode 32, the repeating of births.

In 1990, B.C. E.C.

southern Egypt was in the midst of a localized civil war.

Amenemhart, former Vizier for King Neb Tawiray, Montu Hotep the 4th, had claimed the right to succeed when his former

master died without air.

Having served the King admirably throughout his career and led the expedition to quarry a sacred

sarcophagus for Neb Tawi Ray, a Minam Hart was the strongest claimant to a throne in danger of collapse. Of course, apart from this political power,

the official had little real claim to the throne.

He had been born of non-royal parents. His father was a priest named Senwasret, his mother a woman of

elephantine named Nefret. He had risen to power in the administration of the 11th dynasty, but was not himself a member of it.

He was not married to a lady of the royal family, and he took power essentially on the basis

of experience, rank and the support of an army.

Aminim Hart had acted as vizier for the former king, and when the ill-fated Nebtawi Ray passed to the west,

Aminim Hart was in a fortuitous position.

On the basis of contemporary accounts from a soldier named Chehemau. It seems that Amenemhat was residing in the north when the news came that

Neb Tawiray was dead. Either by prior arrangement with the former king or on the spur of the moment,

a Menemhart declared himself the rightful successor.

Of course this was easier said than accomplished.

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