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Ramses' reign was characterized by the complete disintegration of the Egyptian state. Chaos reigned as the high priest of Amon, Amenhotep, was dismissed and tomb robbing occurred all over Thebes. As the chaos continued, a soldier named Herihor rose from the ranks of the Egyptian military before Ramses' 19th regnal year , restored a degree of order, and became the new High priest of Amon. He continued to amass more titles at the expense of Pinhasy , viceroy of Nubia, whom he had expeled from Thebes. This rivalry soon developed into full fledged civil war and the emergence of new dynasties in Upper and Lower Egypt as Herihor usurped royal power, not actually deposing Ramses, but effectively ignoring him. Herihor died soon after and was succeeded by Piankh as high priest who continued his policies and his war.

Sometime during this period, Ramses XI's reign ended in obscurity. He was buried in the Valley of the Kings ( KV 4 ).