A Brief Introduction to Memphis (Ancient Egypt)

Memphis is one of the oldest and most important cities in ancient Egypt, located at the entrance of the Nile Valley near the Giza Plateau. It was once the capital of ancient Egypt and an important center of religious worship.

The original name of the city was Hiku-Ptah (also called Hut-Ka-Ptah), but it was later called Inbu-Hedj, which means "white wall" because it was built with mud bricks and then painted white. In the ancient kingdom (26 BC13-2181), it was called Men-nefer ("lasting and beautiful"), and the Greeks translated it as "Memphis". It is said that it was founded by King menes (3 150 BC), who unified two Egyptian lands into one country. Egypt's early dynasty kings (3 150-26 13 BC) and ancient kingdoms (26 13-2 18 1 BC) all ruled from Memphis. Even though it is not the capital, it is still an important commercial and cultural center.

From the earliest dynasty to the Ptolemaic dynasty (323-30 BC), this city occupied a prominent position in the whole history of Egypt, but there is no doubt that it existed as early as the pre-dynasty period of Egypt (6000-3 BC150 BC). Located at the entrance of the Nile Valley, this city is a natural place for early human settlement. Memphis played an important role in people's lives from the earliest times to the end of ancient Egyptian history in Rome.

Kings rule here, businesses are in the market, huge religious temples attract pilgrims and tourists, and some of the most famous kings in this country have built their great monuments in or near the city. Alexander the Great personally crowned the Pharaoh in Memphis, and the Rosetta Stone, which unlocked the secrets of Egyptian hieroglyphs, was originally issued from this city.

Memphis began to decline after the Romans annexed Egypt. In the 4th century, when people stopped visiting the temples and shrines of ancient Egyptian gods, the rise of Christianity accelerated this process. In the 7th century, with the invasion of * * *, Memphis was in ruins, and the buildings were harvested into stones, which laid the foundation for Cairo and other projects.

Name and meaning

Maneteau, a historian in the 3rd century BC, claimed that menes, the first king of Egypt, built the city after the unification of Egypt. At this time, the city was called Hiku -Ptah or hut-Gabuta, which means "Tower of Buta's Soul". Buta was probably the god of fertility in the early dynasty, but in the early dynasty, he was promoted to the status of "king of truth" and "creator of the world" from the beginning. He is the patron saint of the surrounding area of Memphis, and became the patron saint of the city after building the city for his honor.

Other inscriptions attribute the construction of Memphis to menes's successor, Hall Aha. It is said that he visited the ruins instead of the city. He admired the city so much that he changed the direction of the Nile and opened up a vast plain for construction. Because of various inscriptions, Hor-Aha is equivalent to menes, but "menes" seems to be a title, meaning "patient", not a personal name, which may have been handed down by the former king. The original builder of this city may be Nalmeier, the king of unified Egypt, who was called menes. Hor-Aha's visit and the legend of river diversion may be a version of an early story about menes, and many miraculous legends grew around her.

The early name of this city Hut-Ka-Ptah made Egypt the Greek name of this country. Egyptians themselves call their country Kemet, which means "black land" because it has fertile and dark soil. The name Hut-Ka-Ptah was translated by the Greeks as "Aegyptos" and later became "Egypt". The Greeks named this country after this city, which proved the strength and fame of early Memphis.

Early history

In the early dynasty, the city was called Inbu-Hedj ("white wall") because the mud brick walls were painted white and were said to shine in the sun several miles away. However, there is no evidence that the actual name of the city has changed. The city's new nickname may have appeared at the beginning of the Third Egyptian Dynasty (2670-26 BC13 BC), when Zuo Saier came to power. Before that, the kings were buried in Abedos, but at the end of the second dynasty in Egypt (2890-2670 BC), they were buried near Memphis near Giza.

It is said that Zuo Saier promoted the status of the city by making it the capital, but before his rule, it was already the power center of Egypt. More likely, he chose nearby Sakala as his mortuary complex and pyramid cemetery, thus enhancing the reputation of the city. The white walls of the city reflect the status of the king and draw people's attention to his eternal home nearby.

Egyptian archaeologist Kathryn A. Bard wrote, "The North Sakala Cemetery is located on a prominent limestone ridge overlooking the valley, and the existence of a huge and exquisite superstructure will be a very impressive status symbol" (Xiao, 72). The city walls may be painted white to further reflect this situation. According to Toby Wilkinson, an Egyptian archaeologist, this is not a city wall, but the wall of the central palace, which was painted white and gave the city a nickname. Wilkinson wrote:

With its whitewashed exterior wall, this white wall must be a dazzling landscape, comparable to the White House, which symbolizes the modern superpower. Other royal buildings in the whole land consciously imitate the white wall. (3 1)

However, there is no doubt that before Zuo Saier, the city was the capital of a unified Egypt and was highly valued, so before his rule, the walls of the city or palace might be painted white. Budd pointed out, "The graves of senior officials were found near North Sakala, and officials at all levels were buried in other places in Memphis. Such funeral evidence shows that Memphis is the administrative center of the state "(Shaw, 64). Although Maneteau claimed that Memphis did not become the capital until the third king Cai Chao, the pottery and funerary objects unearthed in archaeological excavations can be traced back to the first Egyptian dynasty.

The capital of the old kingdom

During the old kingdom, the city was still the capital. King Sneferu (26 BC13-2589) ruled the city when he ordered the construction of his Great Pyramid. Sneferu perfected the pyramid architecture and stone art initiated by Vizier of Zhuose and Imhotep, the chief architect of Sakala (2667-2600 BC). Sneferu's successor Khufu (2589-2566 BC) will build the Great Pyramid near Giza on the basis of his success. His successors Ha Fula (2558-2532 BC) and Menkaure (2532-2503 BC) were named after him and built their own pyramids there. Memphis, as the capital, is the location and source of complex and far-reaching bureaucracy, which enables these kings to organize the labor and resources needed to build huge buildings and pyramids.

By the time of Userkaf, the first king of the Fifth Dynasty (2498-249 BC1year), Giza was a prosperous cemetery, managed by the priests of the gods, with all aspects of a small city, including shops, factories, temples, streets and private houses. Memphis also continued to develop at this time, reflecting the development of Giza. The pagoda of the temple became an important religious center and monument, and it was proposed to commemorate this god in the whole city.

At the same time, the worship of the sun god La became more and more popular, and the priests in charge of La in Giza buildings became more and more powerful. Userkaf probably found that there was no more building space in Giza, so he chose nearby Absire as the location of his mortuary and built a temple for him. This is the first of many temples built in the fifth dynasty during the worship of the gods, and it is becoming more and more popular.

During the reign of Pepi I (2332-2283 BC), the city was called Memphis. Historian Margaret Bunsen explained:

Pepi I built his beautiful pyramids in Sakala. The morgue monument is called Men-nefer-Mare, that is, "the completed beautiful Men-nefer-Mare Pyramid". The name was quickly used to refer to the surrounding areas, including the city itself. It's called Men-nefer ["lasting and beautiful"], and then it's called Menfi. Centuries later, the Greeks visited the capital and translated the name into Memphis. ( 16 1)

With the decrease of resources, the king of the sixth dynasty gradually lost the right to rule the country, the priests and local officials of La became richer and richer, and the authority of Memphis degenerated. During the reign of Pepy II (2278-2 BC184 BC), the power of the king declined steadily. Drought brought famine, Memphis could do nothing about it, and the power structure of the old kingdom collapsed.

The rise of Thebes

In the early period known as the first intermediate period (2 18 1-2040 BC), Memphis continued to be the capital. Records of this period are often confused or lost, but it seems that Memphis was the capital throughout the 7th and 8th dynasties, and the king claimed the authority and legitimacy of the rulers of the old kingdom. However, their power seat in the traditional capital is the only aspect of their rule that is the same as that of early Egyptian monarchs. When they amused themselves by believing in their authority, local officials (noarchs) in this area began to rule their communities independently. It seems that some people still recognize Memphis as the capital, but this is only in name.

Memphis, as the capital of the ancient kingdom, is the location and source of complex and far-reaching bureaucracy, which enables these kings to organize the labor and resources needed to build huge buildings and pyramids.

At the end of the eighth dynasty or the beginning of the ninth dynasty, the king of Memphis moved the capital to Heraclopoulos, perhaps to restore their authority in some way. The reason why they moved is not clear, but their relationship with this country is no more important in Leopold, Iraq than in Memphis.

The first intermediate period was traditionally described as a chaotic "dark age", but it was actually just a period. Local governors have more power than the central government, and Egypt is no longer unified under a powerful ruler. Rulers in different regions have achieved different degrees of success according to their talents and resources, but due to the leadership of the rulers, one city has become stronger than other cities.

When an official named Intef I (2 125 BC) came to power, Thebes was just another capital city of Upper Egypt. Intefer I injected vitality into Thebes and challenged the king's authority in Herakrotapolis. His successor continued his policy of opposing the weak central government until the reign of Mentohotep II (206 1-20 10 BC), which overthrew King Herakropolis and unified Egypt under Thebes.

Thebes is now the capital of Egypt, and the great monument that once shone in Memphis is now rising in this city. The early governor Vaughan Intef II (about 265,438 BC+065,438 BC+02-2063 BC) is considered to be the first person to build a monument in Karnak Temple, while Mentuhotep II used his own mortuary complex to add luster to the magnificent buildings in Thebes. The city remained as the capital only during the reign of Amon Niemat I (BC 19965438+ BC 0- 1962), who moved the capital northward to Ititawi near Lister.

However, Memphis and Thebes remain important religious and cultural centers of the whole Middle Kingdom. The great Karnak Temple continues to be built in Thebes, and the number of temples and shrines in Memphis is also increasing. Amon nihat I built a temple for Buta in Memphis, and his successors also visited the city and added their own monuments.

Even during the decline of the 13 dynasty, kings continued to commemorate Memphis with temples and monuments. Although the worship of Amon is becoming more and more popular, Buta is still regarded as the patron saint of the city in Memphis. Memphis continues to trade with all parts of Egypt as an important cultural and commercial center, while attracting tourists to temples and holy places.

Memphis in the new kingdom

The Middle Kingdom was followed by another period of instability and division, which was called the second intermediate period (BC 1782 to BC 1570). Its main feature is the rise of a people named Hyksos, who came from Egypt under the rule of Varis. They took control of the Egyptian city from the northern fortress and attacked Memphis, bringing the monument back to Varis. Although later Egyptian writers claimed that the Hyksos destroyed Egyptian culture and oppressed the people, they actually admired this culture and imitated it in their art, architecture, fashion and religious ceremonies.

Memphis showed evidence of serious damage during this period, because the Hyxos moved buildings to Varis and destroyed other buildings. The Hixos were driven out of Egypt by Ahmers I of Thebes (BC 1570- 1544), who unified Egypt and started a new kingdom period (BC 1570- 1069). Thebes once again became the capital of Egypt, while Memphis continued its traditional role as a religious and commercial center.

The great kings of the new kingdom built temples and monuments in Memphis. Okhennathan (BC 1353- 1336) built a temple for his god Adong in Memphis during the period of Amana, when he closed the temple and expelled all other gods. Ramses II (BC 1279-65438+ BC 02 13) moved the national capital to his new city, Pei Lamez (located at the ruins of Varis), but Memphis built many huge monuments. His successors continue to respect Memphis, which is considered as the second largest city in Egypt, after the capital.

The importance of religion and its follow-up significance

Memphis has enjoyed a high reputation since its establishment, even after the decline of the new kingdom to the third intermediate period (BC 1069-525). Although many cities were neglected during this period, the status of Memphis remained unchanged. In 67 1 year BC, when King Isahadon of Assyria (68 1-669 BC) invaded Egypt, he deliberately set fire to Memphis and brought important members of the community back to Nineveh, the capital.

However, the religious importance of this city ensured that it could survive and be rebuilt after the Assyrian invasion. Memphis became the center of resistance against Assyrian occupation and destroyed Ashgabat again (668-627 BC), which invaded in 666 BC. Ashbanaba also looted Thebes and other important cities, and placed Assyrians all over the country to maintain control.

Memphis was revived as a religious center, and the city was rebuilt and strengthened under the rule of Pharaoh Seth in the 26th dynasty (664-525 BC). Egyptian gods, especially Buta, continue to be worshipped there and more temples and monuments have been built for them.

In 525 BC, Persian general Cambyses Ⅱ invaded Egypt, defeated Pelusim's army and marched into Memphis. He occupied the city and strengthened it, making it the capital of the Persian Egyptian governor. When Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) occupied Egypt in 33 1 BC, he crowned himself Pharaoh in Memphis, connecting himself with the great monarch of the past.

During the Ptolemaic Dynasty (323-30 BC) after Alexander's death, the Greek pharaohs kept the city at the traditional prestige level. Ptolemy I Soter (323-283 BC) respected the city and buried Alexander's body there when he began to rule. He established a new worship of Serabis near Sakala to further pay tribute to Memphis. Ptolemy II (283-246 BC) moved Alexander's body to Alexandria, where he started many construction projects, including Serapem, a large library and a university. Alexandria will become the pearl of Egypt and the center of learning culture, but Memphis will begin to decline.

But the city is still regarded as an important religious center, and its priests are equivalent to the secular authorities in power. Under Ptolemy's rule, temples and shrines of God were rebuilt and renovated, and new buildings were built. Egyptian archaeologist Allen B. Lloyd wrote:

The priests were stationed in many temples, which were often rebuilt or decorated in Ptolemy's time and remained the most spectacular and complete relics of Pharaoh's culture. (Xiao, 406)

These temples in Memphis and other places are not only the homes and worship centers of the gods, but also factories that produce works of art such as clothing, handicrafts and paintings. The temples in Memphis kept the city's reputation good, but with the continuation of Ptolemy dynasty, its position was replaced by Alexander. In BC 196, Ptolemy V promulgated the Memphis Act (better known as the Rosetta Stone). Since then, the city has gradually lost its prestige.

The decline of Memphis

The Ptolemaic dynasty ended with the death of the last queen, Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC), and Egypt was annexed by Rome. Alexandria became the ruling center of Rome in Egypt with its huge port and academic center, while Memphis was forgotten. With the rise of Christianity in the 4th century, Memphis declined further, and fewer and fewer people visited temples and shrines. By the 5th century, when Christianity was the main religion of the Roman Empire, Memphis had declined.

By the 7th century, when people invaded, the city was in ruins. Temples, buildings, shrines and city walls were demolished to build Fausta, the first Egyptian capital, and later Cairo. Today, Memphis has only columns, foundations, city wall relics, broken statues and scattered column fragments near Mit Rahina village.

The site was listed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1979. As a place with special cultural significance, it is still a popular tourist attraction featuring museums. The alabaster Sphinx and the colossus of Ramses II are particularly impressive. This place is now loved by tourists, just like Memphis in ancient times.