Memphis was an important city in ancient Egypt. It served as Egypt’s capital from the time it was founded, around 3000 B.C., until the early part of the Middle Kingdom (about 1975-1640 B.C.). Beginning in the New Kingdom (about 1539-1075 B.C.), Memphis was probably the capital of northern Egypt, while Thebes was the capital of southern Egypt. In 332 B.C., the Macedonian leader Alexander the Great invaded Egypt. He established Alexandria as his capital, but Memphis remained a religious center and the residence of Egyptian pharaohs (kings). Memphis continued to be an important city until Muslim invaders established what is now Cairo in the middle of the A.D. 600’s.
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Memphis was the site of burials of royalty, priests, and other upper-class citizens throughout much of its history. During the Old and Middle kingdoms, kings built pyramids at Giza , Saqqarah , and other places near Memphis. According to tradition, Menes , who united all of Egypt, founded Memphis. Today, the towns of Al Badrashayn and Mit Rahina stand at the site of the ancient city. The site is one of the largest fields of ruins in Egypt.
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See also Egypt, Ancient (History) .
