Egyptian civilization is one of the oldest. Over its long history, capitals have been 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 in the state there were even two capitals. For more than 6 millennia, it was divided into Upper and Lower Egypt, each of which had its own main city. The oldest capital of Egypt was the city of Memphis. When the two parts of the country merged, it grew on the former border.
The heyday of Memphis
According to archaeological excavations conducted on the territory of the state of Ancient Egypt, the capital Memphis dates back to the XXII century BC. e. At that time, Pharaoh Menes (Mes) was in power.
At the time of its foundation, the first capital of Ancient Egypt was called Inbujedge. Translated into Russian, this means "white walls." That was the name of the fortress near which the city was built.
Under the rule of Pharaoh Pepi II Neferkara in 2279 - 2219 BC. e. the name of the ancient capital of Egypt was changed to Memphis, which translates as "strong and beautiful Pepi." This name is preserved for her throughout history.
The city occupied an important place in the life of civilization, bearing the name Ancient Egypt. The capital performed religious, political, agricultural and craft functions. Memphis has remained an important city for a long time.
The best combat uniforms and chariots came out of Memphis workshops. He 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 a cult of these deities.
The lands around the capital were very fertile. The Nile spilled widely and nourished the soil with silt. Thus, she received natural fertilizer. Most of the inhabitants of Memphis were engaged in agriculture. They grew cotton, grapes, figs and crops, gathered rose oil, and raised sheep.
Peasants harvested rich crops from the fields. Sheep grew well and bred. The local flock reached several hundred thousand goals. Therefore, there were no problems with the food of all the inhabitants of the royal court. Numerous palace servants, priests, servants and slaves were always full.
Capital Memphis
Over 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;
- during the reign of the pharaoh Seti from the XIX 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 the years 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 government orders came from it.
In 525 - 404, 343 - 332 years BC. e. and 332 - 322 BC in power were the Persians and Macedonians, respectively. They ruled a country from Memphis.
The decline of memphis
From 342 BC begins the decline of the capital of the ancient kingdom of Egypt. The geographical position of Memphis has ceased to be relevant. He was in the desert. The new government needed access to the sea, which would allow trade with the countries of the Mediterranean. Therefore, the city has lost its former meaning.
In addition, the Arab conquest of the country and the construction of Cairo began, which became the new capital. Arabs used stone from the beautiful palaces of Memphis to erect its buildings.
Memphis Excavations
For a long time, the capital of Ancient Egypt, Memphis, was hidden under the silt, which caused the waters of the Nile. Excavations began only in the XVIII - XIX centuries. This was facilitated by Napoleon's campaign and the interest of Europe in Egyptology, which was on the rise at that time.
The country was occupied by Great Britain. The British exported from Egypt everything that could 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 Serapeum, the cemetery of the bulls of Apis. These animals were the earthly incarnation of the god Ptah.
Memphis Ruins
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 was preserved of him. But the two statues of Ramses II, who stood in front of the temple, almost completely survived. They have a height of 13 meters. One of them is made of granite, the other is made of limestone.
An alley of the Sphinxes led to the temple of Ptah, of which only one was preserved. The pyramids and tombs of the Memphis necropolis were looted and almost completely destroyed.
Archaeological excavations have shown that Memphis extended for many kilometers. But most of its area was occupied by residential quarters, not communicating with each other. They grew around the palaces of the pharaohs. During the Arab conquest, people of the same profession or of a certain origin began to settle in the neighborhoods.
Excavations continue for more than two centuries. But to date, only a quarter of the city has been studied.
Surviving Memphis Monuments
One of the surviving statues of Ramses II in 1955 was installed on the square in front of the railway station in Cairo.
The second statue is in a special garden in Memphis. It was discovered in 1820. Some of her legs were not preserved.
In the same garden is a table made of alabaster. It was used for embalming Apis, sacred bulls. Also noteworthy is the eight-meter sphinx.
Partially preserved Memphis necropolis. It consists of many tombs and pyramids. Some of its sites - Giza, Abusir, Saqqara and Dakhshur - were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
Memphis and modernity
An important city of the country Ancient Egypt, the capital of Memphis, has come a long historical way. Its ruins lie southwest of Cairo. Their modern neighbors are the small settlements of El Badrashayn and Mit Rahina.
Their inhabitants, like the people who inhabited these lands many centuries ago, are engaged in agriculture and sheep farming. But with the growing interest of tourists in the historical monuments of Egypt, they begin to change their activities. Some residents switch to the manufacture of figurines, which are given out as ancient Egyptian, while others - to work as guides.
But the latter type 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, which makes it inaccessible to visit. Other interesting finds are open only to scientists and archaeologists. Tourists are only offered to admire the groves of date trees, listen to a brief historical overview and move on.