The Ninth Dynasty was a period in ancient Egyptian history that is part of the larger First Intermediate Period. It is believed to have lasted from around 2160 to 2025 BCE. This dynasty is known for its fragmented political structure, where various local rulers, or nomarchs, held significant power, leading to a decline in centralized authority. The rulers of the Ninth Dynasty are not well-documented, but it is thought that they were based in Herakleopolis. This dynasty struggled with internal conflicts and competition from other regions, particularly from the Theban rulers in the south, which eventually contributed to its decline and the rise of the Tenth Dynasty.