When Did Thebes Become Capital of Ancient Egypt?

Thebes (Waset) rose to prominence as the capital during the Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1650 BCE), specifically under the 11th Dynasty pharaoh Mentuhotep II (~2055 BCE), who reunified Egypt after the First Intermediate Period.

Earlier, during the Old Kingdom (4th Dynasty, ~2600 BCE), the capital was Memphis. Thebes was a provincial center. The prompt's mention of Sneferu (4th Dynasty) and "Ta-re" is inaccurate—Sneferu ruled from Memphis; Thebes became capital much later.

Key Capital Shifts

• Old Kingdom: Memphis
• Middle Kingdom (11th/12th Dynasties): Thebes
• Second Intermediate Period: Thebes (16th/17th Dynasties), Avaris (Hyksos, 15th Dynasty)
• New Kingdom (18th–20th Dynasties): Thebes (religious capital); administrative capital often Memphis or Pi-Ramesses.
• Late Period: Tanis, Sais, Memphis, Alexandria.

Thebes (modern Luxor) remained the religious heart (Karnak, Luxor temples, Valley of Kings) for nearly 2,000 years.