Waset, also known as Thebes, was an ancient Egyptian city located along the Nile, now within the city of Luxor. Waset was founded in 3200 BC and served as capital of Waset Nome before evolving from a small trading post into a religious center with a temple complex. In 2160 BC, the Eleventh Dynasty ruled Upper Egypt from Waset in opposition to the Pharaohs based at Het-Nesut, and the Waset ruler Mentuhotep II took Het-Nesut by force in 2050 BC and reunited Egypt under his rule. Pharaoh Amenemhat I (r. 1991-1962 BC) moved the capital to Itjtawy, but Waset continued to thrive as a religious center dedicated to Amun. After the Hyksos conquered and occupied Lower Egypt from 1657 to 1549 BC, the rulers of the Thirteenth Dynasty established their capital at Waset, and Pharaoh Ahmose I eventually captured the Hyksos capital of Avaris and drove the Hyksos out of Egypt and the Levant. Waset remained the capital of Ancient Egypt for centuries, with Pharaoh Thutmose I (r. 1506-1493 BC) expanding the Karnak temple and Queen Hatshepsut (r. 1479-1458 BC) renewing Red Sea trade networks and helping Waset's economy to flourish. During the reign of Akhenaten (r. 1351-1334 BC), Waset fell on hard times, the city was abandoned by the court, and the worship of Amun was proscribed, while the capital moved to Amarna, midway between Waset and Mennefer. Waset recovered during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II, who carried out extensive building projects in the city. The city again declined under the later Ramessids, as several Theban conspirators and women were executed for planning to assassinate Pharaoh Ramesses III (r. 1187-1156 BC), and the plundering of Waset's tombs by corrupt officials during the reign of Ramesses IX (r. 1129-1111 BC) led to the moving of several royal mummies. In 750 BC, the Nubian king Shabaka conquered Upper Egypt and ruled from Waset, but the Assyrians sacked Waset in 663 BC. Waset remained an important religious center while losing its political significance. Under Greek rule, the city became known as Thebes, and the powerful priests of Thebes led several rebellions against the Ptolemies. After a failed revolt in 91 BC, Thebes was subdued and turned to rubble, and it was relegated to a mere village by the 1st century AD.
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