Memphis City was Egypt’s first capital during the time of the Pharaohs; it was the ancient city of Memphis near the Giza plateau, south of the delta of the Nile River.
The town was built around 3100 BC and stopped being used around 641 BC after Luxor and Alexandria were made.
The main god of the capital was Ptah, who was thought to be the god who made everything and gave life to the gods. Ptah could also hear his people when they prayed, so he is often shown with big ears.
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Where is the city of Memphis located?
The ancient capital of Egypt, Memphis, is located in the center of an alluvial plain and stands on the western side of the River Nile. Thanks to its privileged position, its development was also possible, thus becoming the first capital of Ancient Egypt, allowing it to dominate the very entrance of the river delta, control the merchant routes, and, therefore, both Lower and Upper Egypt.
For this reason, it became the religious capital of the Kingdom and the administrative one considered the sacred seat of the gods. For this reason, the coronation of the pharaohs also took place here.
It is also easy to reach from the current Egyptian capital, Cairo, and the Giza Necropolis, which is 25 km away. When visiting Memphis, an excursion to the necropolis of Saqqara, just 3 km from where Memphis is located, is also a must.
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Who built the city of Memphis?
From what we know about history, the legendary Pharaoh Narmer united Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, leading to Memphis’s creation.
Why was Memphis built?
Because it was where the Nile Delta met the valley, it was in a good spot for the economy and trade because it had a port.
Traces show that this city’s port had workshops, shipyards, and warehouses that sent goods to the Old Kingdom.
People say Memphis was one of the most important ancient cities because it had many palaces, gardens, and temples.
Herodotus, a Greek historian and traveler, wrote about Memphis in the 5th century BC. This was a long time after it had been at its best.
Even after Thebes became the capital of the New Kingdom, Memphis was Egypt’s second city. It grew until the first Muslim invasions in the 7th century AD, the last time people lived there.
Why Visit Memphis in Egypt?
Visiting Memphis City in Egypt is an essential stop on your journey to the land of the Pharaohs. Understanding this country’s rich history and discovering its roots is indispensable.
Memphis was, before Thebes, now Luxor, the capital of the Ancient Kingdom. It was not only an important place for administration but also Egyptian worship.
In this city, a veritable open-air museum, it is still possible to observe funerary monuments, rock tombs, and temple ruins. Furthermore, its position allows us to reach it after visiting Cairo and Giza and quickly visiting the necropolis of Saqqara and its step pyramid.
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Name and meaning of Memphis, Egypt
In the 3rd century BC, historian Manetho Manetho attributed the founding of Egypt’s initial city to Menes, the country’s first king, following the unification of Egypt. At that time, the city bore the name Hiku-Ptah or Hut-Ka-Ptah, signifying “Mansion of the Soul of Ptah.”
During the Predynastic Period, Ptah potentially represented an early deity of fertility. As the Early Dynastic Period commenced, Ptah was revered as the “Lord of Truth” and the “Creator of the World.” His influence extended over the Memphis vicinity, and he became the city’s patron deity, lending his name to the settlement.
Historical inscriptions attribute the establishment of Memphis to Hor-Aha, Menes’s son-in-law. It’s recounted that Hor-Aha, intrigued by the site, altered the Nile River’s course to create an expansive plain for construction.
Although various inscriptions connect Hor-Aha to Menes, “Menes” appears to have been a title rather than a personal name, signifying “He who endures.” This title was possibly passed down from the first king.
Narmer, often identified as Menes, likely initiated the city’s construction. The narrative of Hor-Aha’s visit and the redirection of the river might echo an earlier tale regarding Menes (Narmer), around which numerous miraculous accounts emerged.
The city’s ancient name, Hut-Ka-Ptah, led to the Greek term for Egypt. Egyptians referred to their land as Kemet, meaning “black land,” due to the fertile, dark soil in the Nile Valley.
The Greeks translated Hut-Ka-Ptah to “Aegyptus,” evolving into “Egypt.” Naming the country after the city highlights its substantial power and renown during that period.
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About Memphis City, Egypt
Founded circa 3100 BC by Menes, the inaugural pharaoh, Memphis’s remnants lie on the Nile’s west bank, about 19 km south of Cairo, with Ptah revered as the local deity.
For a prolonged period, Memphis remained Egypt’s paramount city. It functioned as the Kingdom’s economic hub and the unchallenged capital from Dynasty I to Dynasty VIII. It experienced a revival during the reigns of Ramses II and Merenptah.
Even during the reigns of other capitals like Thebes, Pi-Ramses, Tanis, or Sais, the most significant area in Egypt was known as the “Balance of the Two Lands.”
Estimated to be the world’s most populous city until around 2250 BC, Memphis likely housed over 500,000 inhabitants at its peak.
During the eleventh dynasty, commencing approximately in 2040 BC, Thebes supplanted Memphis as the capital. Thebes held sway as the capital of Ancient Egypt for about 1500 years. In 661 BC, Assyrian kings Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal pillaged the city, precipitating its decline.
With the construction of Alexandria in 331 BC, Memphis’s prominence waned. The Ptolemies and subsequent Roman rulers regarded Alexandria as Egypt’s primary capital, relegating the rest of the country, including the ancient city of Memphis, into obscurity and impoverishment.
In 641 AD, Memphis fell into disuse, and its ruins became a resource for nearby towns’ construction needs. Its remaining remnants were utilized in constructing Cairo, Egypt’s new capital.
Excavations have uncovered Ptah’s temple ruins and statues, including those of Ramses II, now exhibited in various museums.
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Memphis City, the History of the Ancient Capital of Egypt
Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, held sway during eight pharaonic dynasties, reaching its pinnacle of influence in the sixth.
It burgeoned as the principal religious hub, venerating Ptah, the esteemed creator and patron deity of art. The Memphis triad, comprising Ptah, Sekhmet, and Nefermet, received reverence during this period.
Old Kingdom
Memphis’s role in Egypt’s Old Kingdom remains enigmatic. Supposedly founded by Pharaoh Menes, it was the nation’s capital from the earliest dynasties. Its strategic position in the Nile Delta facilitated control over Upper and Lower Egypt.
The discoveries within Djoser’s pyramid at Saqqara suggest the Third Dynasty utilized it as a primary burial site. The city flourished notably during the Fourth Dynasty, serving as the pharaohs’ residence and a symbol of unity between the two lands.
Royal coronations and key religious festivals, including those honoring Ptah in the temple, highlighted its prominence. Beyond the city center and its burial grounds, Memphis expanded into a vast urban sprawl interconnected by canals, roads, and temples, of which remnants endure today.
Middle and New Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom saw the capital shift to Thebes, diminishing Memphis’s administrative role but preserving its significance in commerce and art. Remarkable finds, particularly near Ptah’s temple, date back to this era, including the renowned Sphinx and colossi of Ramses II.
The mastabas near Saqqara’s necropolis likely belong to this period. Despite the Hyksos siege in 1650 BC, Memphis retained importance during the 18th dynasty, fostering commercial prosperity amidst the tranquility.
During the New Kingdom, it remained a center for aristocratic and priestly education, hosting pharaonic coronations. Tutankhamun and Ramses II contributed to Memphis’s restoration, attracting royal attention during the 19th dynasty with numerous artifacts discovered here.
Late and Ptolemaic Period
The Late Period witnessed Memphis embroiled in conflicts against the Assyrians, Persians, and Kushites. Piankhi’s takeover during the 25th dynasty revitalized cults and temples near Ptah’s sanctuary. Assyrian attacks in 671 BC led to a brutal conquest.
Under Persian rule, Memphis’s structures were fortified until Amyrtaeus ousted the Persians in 404 BC. Nactanebo I and II continued temple construction, but the city saw a cycle of invasions and liberations.
Memphis saw a native ruler after the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. Alexander the Great’s coronation in 332 BC marked the Hellenistic age, and his embalmment within Ptah’s temple preceded his relocation to Alexandria.
Decline and Rediscovery
Roman ascendancy led to Alexandria superseding Memphis, fostering the Serapis cult, while Christianity eclipsed ancient rituals. Left to languish through Coptic and Byzantine times, it served as a quarry for Cairo’s construction in the 7th century AD, its temples plundered for building materials.
Rediscovery stemmed from the efforts of Arab historians and Egyptologists in the 19th century, with figures like Flinders Petrie unearthing the city’s remnants. Today, Memphis is a pivotal historic site, a must-visit for travelers immersing themselves in Egypt’s rich tapestry.
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Features and significance of Memphis, ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, Memphis served as the capital during the onset of the Dynastic Period and the Old Kingdom, housing the residences of pharaohs. Numerous kings constructed palatial structures within its bounds. The city also boasted some of Egypt’s most significant temples, highlighting its religious importance.
Memphis perennially stood as one of Egypt’s most densely populated and renowned cities. Its prominence attracted inhabitants from diverse corners of the world. The city’s port and local markets were pivotal in facilitating Egypt’s trade relations with various countries.
The extensive length of Memphis’s cemeteries, stretching over 30 kilometers along the desert’s edge and the west bank of the Nile, attests to the city’s vast size and pivotal importance during ancient times.
What to see in Memphis in Egypt
After exploring the location and history, let’s delve into the ancient capital’s current site. The area where Memphis once thrived hosts a town named Mit Rahina. Various excavations have established an open-air museum and a sheltered spot to preserve significant relics, including a colossal sphinx, expansive statues of Ramses II, and other archaeological treasures.
The Sphinx of Memphis
A highlight among Memphis’s attractions is its emblematic Sphinx, likely constructed during the XVIII dynasty, estimated between 1700 and 1400 BC. Despite its mystique, lacking inscriptions identifying the dedicated pharaoh, historians propose its potential dedication to Amenhotep II or Hatshepsut based on facial analysis. They were discovered in 1912 by a British school mission, and excavation efforts in 1913 liberated them from desert sands.
Measuring over 8 meters in length and standing 4 meters tall, this alabaster sculpture, weighing around 90 tons with its embedded platform, remains a remarkable sight. Although smaller than the Great Sphinx in the Giza Necropolis, it endures as one of the few intact colossal sculptures in alabaster, distinguished by unique side streaks. Visitors can now marvel at the Sphinx of Memphis at the Mit Rahina Museum, near the enormous statues of Ramses II.
Mit Rahina
Mit Rahina encompasses the contemporary aspect of Memphis’s ancient settlement north of the archaeological site. One of Egypt’s most extensive open-air museums lies within this locality: the Mit Rahina Open Museum. Exhibits include colossal statues representing Pharaoh Ramses II, intricately inscribed hieroglyphic tablets, lavishly adorned columns, and the Sphinx of Memphis.
The museum offers guided tours, providing insights into each exhibit through informative graphics, contributing to understanding the site’s significance. As a significant feature of Menfi City, it consolidates well-preserved remnants, showcasing notable artifacts such as the large stone beds utilized for the mummification rituals of the sacred bulls, a practice preceding their placement in the Serapeum within Saqqara’s cemetery—an unmissable sight among Memphis’s offerings in Egypt.
Colossus of Rameses II
Certainly, the ancient capital of Egypt, Memphis, hosts numerous wonders, among which stands the Colossus of Ramses II. Crafted from limestone and towering approximately 10 meters high, this colossal statue remains a testament to the city’s enduring history despite missing a leg and its original pedestal. Situated within the open-air museum of Mit Rahina, formerly the Gardens of Memphis, this colossus has defied destruction, weathering, and the passage of over 3000 years. Discovered in 1820 by Giovanni Battista Caviglia, an Egyptologist and Italian explorer, it was uncovered near the south gate of the temple of Ptah, possibly placed in pairs to guard the temple entrance.
Efforts to relocate the colossus faced challenges. They were initially offered to Leopold II of Tuscany and then proposed as a gift to the British Museum by Mehmet Ali, the contemporary pasha. However, both declined due to transportation difficulties. Consequently, the colossus remains displayed in Memphis until its eventual transfer to the New Egyptian Museum in Giza.
Hut-ka-Ptah Temple
Another notable attraction in Memphis is the ruins of the Hut-ka-Ptah temple, dedicated to the veneration of Ptah. Once a pivotal temple in Memphis and the Kingdom, it was prominent within the city’s stone enclosure. Alongside the temples of Amun in Thebes (modern-day Luxor) and Ra in Heliopolis, it stood as a focal point for ancient Egyptian worship. Although Herodotus provided insights during the Persian invasion and post-New Kingdom era, limited original structural details are known, mostly emerging from excavations. Within its vast walled complex, multiple entrances existed, remnants displayed in Mit Rahina’s open-air museum alongside the colossus. Additionally, shrines dedicated to Ptah’s family were housed within. Many temple excavation artifacts are housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and other global institutions.
Djoser’s Pyramid and Saqqara Necropolis
Exploring Memphis remains incomplete without a visit to the Saqqara Necropolis and Djoser’s Pyramid, the burial ground of the city and the third Pharaonic dynasty’s cemetery. Renowned for its historical significance, the cemetery is an open-air museum honoring the ancient deity Sokar. The site features the iconic step pyramid and noble burials from the 1st to the 2nd dynasty, offering a glimpse into Egypt’s history from 3100 to 2686 BC. Following a restoration in 2020, preventing the pyramid’s collapse, it has reopened to the public. However, unlike the Giza pyramids, access to the entrance is restricted to preserve its integrity. The funerary complex encompasses shrines, residences, courtyards, and a temple, enriching visitors’ experience.
Memphis Egypt Facts:
- For over 3,000 years, Memphis was a global paramount hub of culture and governance.
- Originally named “Ineb-hedge” or “White Walls,” Memphis derived its modern name from “Men Never Before” (Solid and Beautiful).
- In its prime, Memphis boasted royal pyramids, private tombs, and an animal cemetery. However, the city underwent significant transformations due to stone-seeking builders, annual Nile floods, and the avarice of fishermen.
- Around 641 BC, the rise of Luxor and Alexandria led to the city’s abandonment.
- Today, Memphis is an enchanting open-air museum centered around the remnants of a colossal collapsed statue of Ramesses II carved from limestone.
- The Memphis Museum showcases remarkable artifacts, including a New Kingdom stone sphinx, two Ramesses II statues recovered from Nubian temples, and expansive limestone slabs once used to mummify Apis bulls destined for the Serapeum.
Memphis, Egypt, is a World Heritage
In 1979, UNESCO designated the ancient city of Memphis in Egypt, along with its neighboring tombs and pyramid fields in Giza, Abusir, Saqqara, and Dahshur, as a World Heritage Site. This expansive area, encompassing Memphis and its necropolis, stretching from Giza to Dahshur, is collectively called the Pyramids of Giza.
Visiting the open-air museum of the ancient city of Memphis offers a captivating opportunity to witness firsthand the marvels of the Pharaonic civilization, including iconic landmarks like the Great Sphinx and the statues of Ramses II. It’s a beautiful way to connect with these ancient masterpieces intimately.
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