The brilliant Egyptian Twelfth Dynasty had come to an end around 1782 BCE, and been succeeded by the much weaker Thirteenth, which is usually described in later texts as an age of chaos and disorder.

However, the period may have been more peaceful than was once thought since the central government in Itjtawy near the Faiyum would be sustained during most of the dynasty and the country would remain relatively stable.

Unfortunately, the true chronology of this dynasty is difficult to determine as there are few monuments dating from the period.

Many of the kings' names are only known from an odd fragmentary inscription or from scarabs.

Both dynasties rule from Itjtawy ("Seizer-of-the-Two-Lands") near Memphis and el-Lisht, just south of the apex of the Nile Delta.