Memphis-Hard to believe it was once the capital!
Trip Start
Mar 08, 2008
1
7
25
Trip End
Mar 24, 2008
Memphis,
Egypt
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Memphis was the capital froml 1700BC, then El Liisht from 1500BC, then Thebes (Luxor) from 1100BC, then Alexandria from 3 BC then Cairo from 700 AD.
The museum at Memphis has a total of 29 pieces on display. There are more souvenir stalls than pieces in the museum!
Ramses II Statue at Memphis Museum
The main thing to see is a statue of Ramses II lying in a specially built building. It is huge but remains smaller than the Ramses II statues at Abu Simbel but still huge. It weighs 29 tonnes (carved from one block), this does not include his feet and calves, which are missing. There is also an alabaster Sphinx of the only female Pharoah, Hatchepsut. It is the only Sphinx located in Egypt made of alabaster.
Albaster Sphinx of Hatchepsut at Memphis
The story goes that when the Egyptians knew that they were going to be invaded, they buried many of the more important pieces in surrounding farmland but never dug them up after independance. The Ramses II and Hatchepsut Sphinx were recovered but it is believed that there are many more artifacts buried awaiting discovery. The government has purchased a large area of land to begin excavations.
Ramses was a great builder, with more temples than any other Pharoah. He was considered the best pharoah of Egypt. He must have thought so too, based on the size of his statues.
The Wilbur Smith book "River God" is based on Hatchepsut but he has included alot of fiction and creativity.
Next stop Dashur.
Comments
I've learned something new...
I had no idea that Memphis was the past Egyptian Capital... Have you any idea when this change occured??
Capitals of Egypt
I've updated the blog to include the past capitals of Egypt and when they changed
Errors in history
You have some interesting details about what to see in Memphis, but your history is not accurate. Memphis was the capital of Egypt from before 3000 BC, during the Predynastic period. It had ceased its importance before 1700 BC. And Hatshepsut was not 'the only female pharaoh,' she was simply the most powerful female pharaoh.
Oops
Sorry but I was just repeating what our tour guide told us!