Memphis

Memphis (Ancient Egyptian: Men-nefer, Inbu-hedj, Hut-ka-Ptah; Biblical: Noph, Movh; Arabic: Manf) was the capital of the first nome of Lower Egypt. Its ruins have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and are located near the towns of Mit Rahina and Helwan, about 18 km south of Cairo.

Manetho reports that, according to legend, Memphis was founded by King Menes in 3000 BC. During the Old Kingdom, it was the capital of Egypt and remained an important city in Egyptian history. Memphis was under the protection of the god Ptah, the patron saint of artisans, whose temple, Hut-Ka-Ptah, was located in the center of the city.

The city occupied a strategic position at the beginning of the Nile Delta and was therefore home to many workshops and production facilities, including those for weapons. The rise and fall of Memphis are closely linked to the history of the entire country. Due to the rise of Alexandria, Memphis lost its economic role in the country and was gradually abandoned. With the Edict of Thessalonica, its religious significance also ended.