Memphis, which today is located approximated 20 kilometres south of modern-day Cairo, was the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom era. Most historians believe that the city was founded by the first pharaoh of the first dynasty, and later went on to become the first capital of a united Egypt. If this is indeed so, then that would mean the city over 5,000 years old.
Archaeological studies have shown that the city extended approximately nineteen miles along the eastern shore of the Nile River. While that might not appear to be much by today’s standards, it does tell that the city was enormous by comparison to other cities at the time
The ancient city of Memphis Egypt remained the capital of Egypt for several centuries, and as such, it was the political and administrative heart of the country. The nearby Saqqara necropolis which is home to several royal burial sites further emphasizes the significance of the area.
Egypt’s capital was later moved to Thebes during the turbulent reign of Akhenaton which lasted for 17 years. Despite all his best efforts to lead Egypt away from traditional Egyptian beliefs and religion, he was never able to succeed. Future rulers that formed new dynasties, discredited Akhenaton and declared him and his decedents the real enemy of Egypt.
Many years later, when Tutankhamen became king, he once again made Memphis capital of Egypt. One of the biggest ironies here is that DNA testing carried out in 2010 proved that Tutankhamen was, in fact, one of Akhenaton’s sons. Sadly, the end of Pharaonic Egypt was to a large extent, also the end of Memphis as the ancient capital of Egypt.
