Egyptian civilization is one of the most ancient. During its long history, the capitals were transferred many times from one city to another. This was due to the political views and whims of the ruling dynasty. For a long time there were even two capitals in the state. For more than 6 millennia, it was divided into Upper and Lower Egypt, each of which had its own main city. The ancient capital of Egypt was the city of Memphis. When the two parts of the country united, he grew up on the former border.
Memphis Rising
According to archaeological excavations conducted on the territory of the state of Ancient Egypt, the capital of Memphis dates back to the 22nd century BC. e. At that time, Pharaoh Menes (Mes) was in power.
At the time of its founding, the first capital of Ancient Egypt was called Inbuhej. Translated into Russian, this means "white walls". This was the name of the fortress around which the city was built.
During the reign of Pharaoh Pepi II Neferkare in 2279 - 2219years BC. e. the name of the ancient capital of Egypt was changed to Memphis, which translates as "strong and beautiful Pepi." This name remained with her for the rest of her history.
The city occupied an important place in the life of the civilization that bears the name of Ancient Egypt. The capital performed religious, political, agricultural and craft functions. Memphis remained an important city in the country for a long time.
The finest battle gear and chariots came from the workshops of Memphis. It was the center of the defense industry of the ancient world.
In Memphis, important religious buildings dedicated to Ptah and Apis were erected. Here was the cult of these deities.
The lands around the capital were very fertile. The Nile flooded widely and fed the soil with silt. Thus, she received natural fertilizer. Most of the inhabitants of Memphis were employed in agriculture. They grew cotton, grapes, figs and cereals, collected rose oil, raised sheep.
Peasants gathered a rich harvest from the fields. The sheep grew well and bred. The local flock reached several hundred thousand heads. Therefore, there were no problems with food for all the inhabitants of the royal court. Numerous palace servants, priests, servants and slaves were always full.
Memphis Capital
During the long history of the state of Ancient Egypt, the capital was transferred from Memphis to other cities. So, Memphis had the status of the main city of Egypt in the following periods:
- during the reign of the VIII dynasty in 2950 - 2180 BC;
- induring the reign of Pharaoh Seti from the 19th dynasty in 1290 - 1279 BC;
- during the reign of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom in the XIV-XII centuries BC. e.;
- during the reign of the last pharaohs in 404-343. BC e.
In 715 - 664 BC, when the Ethiopian XXV dynasty was in power, the official capital was located in the city of Napata. But in fact, Memphis remained the political center, all state orders came from it.
In 525 - 404, 343 - 332 BC. e. and 332 - 322 BC the Persians and Macedonians were in power, respectively. They ran the country from Memphis.
The Decline of Memphis
From 342 B. C. the decline of the capital of the ancient kingdom of Egypt begins. The geographical position of Memphis ceased to be relevant. He was in the desert. The new government needed access to the sea, which would allow trade with the Mediterranean countries. Therefore, the city has lost its former significance.
In addition, the Arab conquest of the country and the construction of Cairo began, which became the new capital. For the construction of its buildings, the Arabs used stone from the beautiful palaces of Memphis.
Memphis Excavations
For a long time the capital of ancient Egypt, Memphis, was hidden under the silt that caused the waters of the Nile. Excavations began only in the XVIII - XIX centuries. This was facilitated by the campaign of Napoleon and European interest in Egyptology, which was on the rise at that time.
The country was occupied by Great Britain. The British exported from Egypt everything thatcould be transported by sea. It was then that part of the buildings of Memphis was discovered - the ruins of the temple of the god Ptah and the Serapeum, the cemetery of the Apis bulls. These animals were the earthly incarnation of the god Ptah.
Ruins of Memphis
The most famous archaeological site in the area of the ancient capital is the Memphis necropolis. It stretches 35 km west of the city. It includes several archaeological zones - Giza, Saqqara, Abu Roash, Abusir and Zawiet el-Arian.
The ruins of the Temple of Ptah are also famous. But almost nothing remains of him. But the two statues of Ramses II, which stood in front of the temple, almost completely survived. They are 13 meters high. One of them is made of granite, the other is made of limestone.
The avenue of Sphinxes led to the Temple of Ptah, of which only one has survived. The pyramids and tombs of the Memphis necropolis were looted and almost completely destroyed.
Archaeological excavations have shown that Memphis stretched for many kilometers. But most of its area was occupied by residential quarters that did not communicate with each other. They grew around the palaces of the pharaohs. During the Arab conquest, people of one profession or a certain origin began to settle in the quarters.
Excavations have been going on for more than two centuries. But to date, only a quarter of the city has been explored.
The surviving monuments of Memphis
One of the surviving statues of Ramses II in 1955 was installed on the square in front of the railwaystation in Cairo.
The second statue is located in a special garden in Memphis. It was discovered in 1820. Part of her legs is missing.
In the same garden there is a table made of alabaster. It was used to embalm the Apis, sacred bulls. The eight-meter sphinx also deserves attention.
Memphis necropolis partially preserved. It consists of many tombs and pyramids. Some of its sections - Giza, Abusir, Saqqara and Dahshur - were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
Memphis and modernity
Important city of the country Ancient Egypt, the capital of Memphis, has come a long way. Its ruins lie southwest of Cairo. Their modern neighbors are the small settlements of El Badrashein and Mit Rahina.
Their inhabitants, like the people who inhabited these lands many centuries ago, are engaged in agriculture and sheep breeding. But with the growing interest of tourists in the historical monuments of Egypt, they begin to change their activities. Some residents switch to making figurines that are passed off as ancient Egyptian, while others switch to work as guides.
But the last kind of earnings is doubtful. After all, most archaeological finds are not shown to tourists. For example, the Temple of Ptah is often flooded with groundwater, making it inaccessible to the public. Other interesting finds are open only to scientists and archaeologists. Tourists are offered only to admire the grovesdate trees, listen to a brief historical overview and move on.
