King of Egypt's 11th dynasty (ruled 2008-1957 BC) who, starting as the ruler of southernmost Egypt in about 2008, reunified the country by defeating his rivals and ushered in the period known as the Middle Kingdom. His reign heralded a return to political stability after comparative confusion and decentralization of the First Intermediate Period. It was also the birth name held by two other Theban kings of the 11th Dynasty and one of their ancestors. Mentuhotep II's funerary temple at Deir el-Bahri, on west bank at Thebes, may have influenced Queen Hatshepsut, who later built on same site.