<P> The founder of the ninth dynasty, Akhthoes or Akhtoy, is often described as an evil and violent ruler, most notably in Manetho's writing . Possibly the same as Wahkare Khety I, Akhthoes was described as a king who caused much harm to the inhabitants of Egypt, was seized with madness, and was eventually killed by a crocodile . This may have been a fanciful tale, but Wahkare is listed as a king in the Turin Canon . Kheti I was succeeded by Kheti II, also known as Meryibre . Little is certain of his reign, but a few artifacts bearing his name survive . It may have been his successor, Kheti III, who would bring some degree of order to the Delta, though the power and influence of these ninth dynasty kings was seemingly insignificant compared to the Old Kingdom pharaohs . </P> <P> A distinguished line of nomarchs arose in Siut (or Asyut), a powerful and wealthy province in the south of the Heracleopolitan kingdom . These warrior princes maintained a close relationship with the kings of the Heracleopolitan royal household, as evidenced by the inscriptions in their tombs . These inscriptions provide a glimpse at the political situation that was present during their reigns . They describe the Siut nomarchs digging canals, reducing taxation, reaping rich harvests, raising cattle herds, and maintaining an army and fleet . The Siut province acted as a buffer state between the northern and southern rulers, and the Siut princes would bear the brunt of the attacks from the Theban kings . </P> <P> The South was dominated by warlords, the best - known of whom is Ankhtifi, whose tomb was discovered in 1928 at Mo'alla, 30 km south of Luxor . He was a nomarch or provincial governor of the nome based on Hierakonpolis, but he then expanded to the south and conquered a second nome centred on Edfu . He then tried to expand to the north to conquer the nome centred on Thebes, but was unsuccessful as they refused to come out and fight . </P> <P> His tomb is highly decorated and contains an extremely informative autobiography in which he paints a picture of Egypt riven by hunger and famine from which he, the great Ankhtifi had rescued them .' I gave bread to the hungry and did not allow anyone to die' . This economic disaster is much debated by a modern commentators: it seems that every ruler made similar claims . But it seems clear that for all practical purposes, Ankhtifi was the ruler and there was no higher power to whom he owed allegiance . The unity of Egypt had broken down . </P>

Who ruled egypt during the first intermediate period