8 Largest Cities of Ancient Egypt

The ancient cities of Egypt have remained important subjects of research and discourse thousands of years after their creation and demise. Their rich history and intriguing structure and function make them the perfect sites for research and investigation to better understand how ancient Egypt functioned.

Most of the ancient cities of Egypt were built along the river Nile because of how fertile the land was around it. All these ancient cities and towns were divided into lower and upper regions. Cities like Alexandria which was around the Mediterranean sea and the Nile delta was lower while cities like Memphis and Thebes which were located in the deep north were upper.

Every city in ancient Egypt had its own unique function. Some of them were political and were home to government workers while the others were religious. Here are some of the largest, most crucial cities of ancient Egypt.

1. Memphis

The city of Memphis was the first capital of Egypt between 2950 BC to 2180 BC. Located south of the Nile River delta, Memphis was largely associated with necropolises where the pyramids of Giza are located. The temple of Ptah was one of the most renowned temples in Memphis and was created after the ancient god Ptah who was a creator god and a patron of artisans.

From the 8th century BCE Memphis began falling to Nubia, Assyria, Persia, and Macedonia. With the rise of Christianity and Islam, the ancient city started losing its significance. Despite that, it is still remembered as one of the most prominent cities of ancient Egypt.

Some relics of ancient Memphis that survive even today include an alabaster Sphinx and the statue of Ramses II.

2. Thebes

Thebes is perhaps one of the most renowned cities of ancient Egypt. It was once a bustling hub and a place of religious and political significance. Thebes remained the capital of Egypt until the end of the Middle Kingdom. After a few years of obscurity due to a series of foreign invaders, Thebes began to rise in significance again when the New Kingdom period began.

This ancient city’s decline began in the 12th century BCE. Today, Thebes remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical significance. The ruins left behind from what was once a flourishing city include the Abu Simbel temples built by Ramesses II.

3. Amarna

Amarna was an ancient city in Egypt that was its capital under the reign of Pharoh Akhenaten. It was built between the ancient capitals of Memphis and Thebes. Akhenaten was a powerful king and he was in charge of maintaining the harmony and balance of the land. During his reign of 20 years, he erected many monuments to honor the god of the sun, Aten.

Today, Amarna remains a historical site and is mostly a wide, barren expanse of land with ruined foundations. It is preserved and excavated by the Amarna project.

4. Alexandria

Alexandria is one of the most well-known cities in Egypt and was founded in 332 BCE by Alexander the Great. The Library of Alexandria was one of the greatest during its time and went down in history as an iconic cultural institution.

With the rise of Cairo, Alexandria began its decline but was commercially revived in the 19th century. Today, Alexandria is an important city in Egypt for many reasons. It exports cotton and has many oil fields around it.

5. Abydos

The ancient city of Abydos was one of the oldest cities in ancient Egypt. The city became a place of worship of Osiris. Many pharaohs had cenotaphs at Abydos because of its religious significance. The temple of Osiris in Abydos was rebuilt over many centuries by several rules that included Pepi I, Ahmose I, and Thutmose III.

Several pharaohs also built mortuary temples in Abydos of which the temple of Seti I remains the most prominent and continues to stay a famous landmark even in modern times. 

6. Elephantine

Located on an island in the Nile opposite the city of Aswan, Elephantine was an important city for defense in ancient Egypt. During the Old Kingdom, Elephantine was called the ‘door of the south’ because it was the southernmost city in ancient Egypt.

Today, Elephantine has transformed to become the site of two Nubian villages in Egypt. It has several ruins of temples and columns that continue to be excavated and studied even today. 

7. Nubt (Kom Ombo)

Formerly known as Nubt during ancient times, Kom Ombo was a crucial agricultural and trade city in ancient Egypt. The ancient city prospered immensely during the Hellenistic Ptolemaic dynasty (305-30BCE). It lies on the east bank of the Nile River and is renowned for being home to a double temple of the Ptolemaic and Roman periods dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Horus.

In 2012, a crocodile museum was constructed in Kom Ombo that has several mummified crocodiles on display. It serves as a prominent tourist destination. 

8. Hermopolis

Hermopolis was an ancient city in Egypt that was located on the border between Upper and Lower Egypt. At one point in time, it was also one of the wealthiest cities in ancient Egypt. Thoth was the great deity worshiped in Hermopolis and a temple was constructed to honor the god. A German expedition between 1929-1939 explored the site of Hermopolis and excavated a part of the temple.

Several excavations have taken place in Hermopolis to uncover what remains of the ancient city. Over the years, labyrinths of underground streets and catacombs have also been discovered in Hermopolis. 

In Summary

Ancient Egypt was home to a variety of cities that were unique in their own ways. While some were religious centers others were known for their politics and defense. Every city in Ancient Egypt served a crucial purpose and remains significant to historians and archeologists even today. Do you have any interesting facts about the largest cities of ancient Egypt? Comment below and share it with us!