Memphis, located at the point where Upper and Lower Egypt met, served as the capital of the united Egypt during the Old Kingdom. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the remains of temples, palaces, and other structures from ancient times.
Memphis, one of ancient Egypt’s most fabled towns, was located in the wide and fertile Nile Delta, where the river’s branches formed a verdant fan across the barren sands. The city, known to the Egyptians by various names over its lengthy history, was a symbol of power, culture, and spirituality. Today, its ruins at Mit Rahina in Giza Governorate exhibit the imprint of a civilization that was once at the zenith of ancient achievement.
The city’s old name, Men-nefer, which means “enduring and beautiful,” encapsulated its spirit lasting Egypt’s peak might. It was a site where rulers, artists, and priests worked together to shape the kingdom’s future. However, Men-nefer was simply one of the names that the city would bear. The Old Egyptians referred to it as Djed-sut , which means “everlasting places,” a term that emphasized the immortal spirit of its monuments and tombs.
In later ages, Memphis was also known as Hut-ka-Ptah, which means “House of the soul of Ptah,” in honor of the enormous temple of Ptah, the city’s guardian deity and the god of workmanship. This name was significant in Egyptian culture and inspired the Greek phrase Ai-gy-ptos, which eventually evolved into the present name Egypt.
Memphis’ history dates back to the beginning of the Early Dynastic Period, possibly even earlier, well before the reign of Iry-Hor in the 31st century BC. The city had already been created, with its inhabitants forging a way of life that would shape the world’s perception of power, religion, and immortality. Memphis survived for over three millennia, thanks to the splendor of the Old Kingdom, the cultural rebirth of the Middle Kingdom, and the military power of the New Kingdom.
Memphis changed over time, much like the river that nourished it. After more than 3,000 years of existence, the city’s influence decreased in the seventh century AD as other powers rose—Alexandria on the coast and, subsequently, Cairo close. The Edict of Thessalonica, issued in 380 AD, changed Egypt’s spiritual life as Christianity took root and the old temples became silent.
Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Memphis and its Necropolis stands as a testament to the grandeur of this once-thriving city.