When was the capital moved from Memphis to Thebes?

At the height of its Golden Age it may well have been the most populated city in the world. In 2240 BCE, Thebes – the modern day city of Luxor – superseded Memphis as capital city, and as the centuries passed it lost its significance in Egypt.

Why was Thebes the capital of Egypt?

The continued worship of the popular Amun and the legendary beauty of the city guaranteed Thebes a special place in the hearts of the Egyptians. The Nubian pharaoh Tatanami made Thebes his capital in the 7th century BCE, linking himself to the glory of the past, but his reign was short-lived.

What was capital of Egypt after Memphis?

The official capitals were Tanis and Thebes, but the royal palace at Memphis also continued to be mentioned. The growing popularity of the Apis cult led to further enlargement of the Serapeum. In the 8th century bce the Nubian king Piye conquered Egypt and restored its unity.

When did Thebes become the capital of Egypt?

The city, known as Waset to ancient Egyptians and as Luxor today, was the capital of Egypt during parts of the Middle Kingdom (2040 to 1750 B.C.) and the New Kingdom (circa 1550 to 1070 B.C.). Thebes was the city of Amun, whose devotees elevated him among the ranks of ancient deities.

Why was Memphis a good place to build Egypt’s capital city?

Having probably originated in Upper Egypt, from Memphis he could control the conquered people of Lower Egypt. However, by the Third Dynasty, the building at Saqqara suggests that Memphis had become a sizable city. Tradition tells us that Menes founded the city by creating dikes to protect the area from Nile floods.

What happened to Thebes?

Ruins of Cadmea, the ancient citadel in Thebes, Greece. Thebes rivaled Argolís as a centre of Mycenaean power until its palace and walls were destroyed shortly before the Trojan War (c. 1200 bce). According to tradition, the city was destroyed by the sons of the Seven about whom Aeschylus wrote.

What was Thebes known as to the ancient Egyptians?

Thebes (Arabic: طيبة‎, Ancient Greek: Θῆβαι, Thēbai), known to the ancient Egyptians as Waset, was an ancient Egyptian city located along the Nile about 800 kilometers (500 mi) south of the Mediterranean. It was a cult center and the most venerated city during many periods of ancient Egyptian history.

What was the capital of Egypt after Thebes?

The Valley of the Kings is located near the city of Thebes. Alexandria – Alexandria served as the capital city from 332 BC to 641 AD. The city became the capital when Alexander the Great conquered Egypt and one of his generals established the Ptolemy Dynasty. Alexandria remained the capital for nearly a thousand years.

What happened to Thebes Egypt?

For a brief period in the reign of Amenhotep III’s son Akhenaten (1351–1334 BC), Thebes fell on hard times; the city was abandoned by the court, and the worship of Amun was proscribed. The capital was moved to the new city of Akhetaten (Amarna in modern Egypt), midway between Thebes and Memphis.

Why was Memphis chosen as the capital city of Egypt?

The power shift between many an ancient Egypt capital city slowed down. Eventually, Memphis was designated as the capital city of the consolidated geographical entity. Memphis grew to be a cosmopolitan city. People from different countries visited the place.

Why was the capital of ancient Egypt at Thebes?

Because the Egyptian kingdom with its capital at Memphis disintegrated into multiple, rival states. The warlord who eventually reunited the kingdom after a long period of anarchy happened to be based in Thebes, and so he made that his capital. Ancient Egypt was traditionally divided into two regions: Upper and Lower.

What was the population of Memphis Egypt in the 1800s?

By 1800 BC, the population of Memphis was down to about 30,000, making Thebes the largest city in Egypt at the time.

What happened to the capital of Egypt after Tutankhamun?

The capital was moved to the new city of Akhetaten (Amarna in modern Egypt), midway between Thebes and Memphis. After his death, his son Tutankhamun returned the capital to Memphis, but renewed building projects at Thebes produced even more glorious temples and shrines.