Memphis

 
The very modest remains of the once splendid capital city of Memphis, of whose wealth and magnificence ancient writers give such glowing accounts, are scattered about amid the houses, palm groves and fields in the fertile land on the east bank of the Nile opposite the cemeteries of Saqqara. As was the general practice from the Old Kingdom right through to the Roman Imperial period, dwelling houses and other secular buildings were constructed of sun dried brick and were thus relatively impermanent. Limestone and granite were used only for temples and occasionally for royal palaces; but these buildings were pulled down in later periods and the stones reused in new construction.

History

The story of Memphis reaches back to the very beginnings of Egyptian history. Menes, the first historical Egyptian ruler, is credited with the building of the "White Walls", a fortress established on land reclaimed from swamp on the borders between the two ancient kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt, in order to keep the conquered inhabitants of Lower Egypt in subjection.
Tips: ACCESS. By road from Cairo, 14mi/22km north. A visit to Memphis can conveniently be combined with a visit to the tombs and pyramids of Saqqara.

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Alabaster Sphinx at the ancient capital of Memphis.Alabaster Sphinx at the ancient capital of Memphis.
Sphinx in Memphis.Sphinx in Memphis.
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