Edfu
The site of another well-preserved temple, the Temple of Edfu, also known as The Temple of Horus, was constructed on top of earlier temples. Located in Upper Egypt, the Temple of Horus was an incredible source of information regarding ancient Egyptian political and religious thought. An enormous statue of Horus as a falcon is one of the most notable and famous statues that still stand today.
Elephantine
An island situated in the Nile River between Egypt and Nubia, Elephantine today is part of Aswan. It was the cult center for Khnum, Satet and their daughter Anuket. Hapi, god of the annual flooding of the Nile River, was worshiped here. It was the outer post of the Egyptian Empire as it sits just north of the First Cataract of the Nile River.
Hermopolis
An important religious center that favored Thoth as the creator god. This cult center in Upper Egypt was called Khmun by the ancient Egyptians. Hermopolis is known for the Hermopolitan Ogdoad of eight gods who created the world which consisted of four pairs of males and females. These pairs included Amun and Amaunet, Huh and Hehet, Kek and Keket, Nun and Naunet.
Kom Ombo
Located north of Aswan in Upper Egypt, Kom Ombo is home to the Kom Ombo Temple. This unique temple is famous because it is a double temple with mirrored images with one side dedicated to Sobek and the other to Horus. Each side has its own entryway and chapels. Kom Ombo was originally called Nubt, meaning the City of Gold.
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Alexandria
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C., Alexandria was the intellectual center of the ancient world. Its location along the Mediterranean made it one of the busiest and most prosperous of ancient Egyptian cities, as it is today. However, due to nearly continuous war, much of the ancient city has been lost. It is believed that Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s tomb is located somewhere near Alexandria, though it has never been found.
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Saqqara
Located in Lower Egypt, Saqqara was used as an ancient burial ground. Among the most famous structures is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, also known as the Step Tomb. Nearly 20 ancient Egyptian kings built their pyramids here, which served as a necropolis for kings living and dying in Memphis.
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Hierakonpolis
Defined as the “City of the Hawk,” the city worshiped Horus. Located in Upper Egypt, Hierakonpolis is one of the oldest and, at the time, most prosperous of ancient Egyptian cities. The Palette of Narmer, one of the first political documents in history, was found here. This palette is actually a slate carving that commemorates King Narmer’s victory of southern Egypt over northern Egypt and the unification of the two.
Leontopolis
Defined as the “City of Lions,” the city worshiped lion gods and deities that incorporated lions and cats. Leontopolis was the cult center for lion gods associated with Ra. Originally named Taremu by the ancient Egyptians; Leontopolis was located in Lower Egypt. An enclosure found here is thought to be one built by the Hyksos, it is known as the “Hyksos Camp.”
Hermonthis
Today known as the city of Armant, Hermonthis was once the cult center of Menthu. Menthu as associated with strength, war and bulls. Located in Upper Egypt, Hermonthis became a bustling, important city during the 18th Dynasty.
Sais
Known as Zau in ancient Egyptian times, Sais is located in Lower Egypt in the western region of the Nile Delta. During the 24th Dynasty, Tefnakhte I and Bakenranef made Sais their capital for the 12 years of their combined reigns.
Xois
Also named “Khasout” or “Khasouou”, the city of Xois served as the capital of Egypt before this was moved to Thebes. It was a prosperous metropolis from where 76 Egyptian kings originated, and it was famous for the wines and luxurious goods it provided.
