List of ancient Egyptian towns and cities

Summary

This is a list of known ancient Egyptian towns and cities.[1] The list is for sites intended for permanent settlement and does not include fortresses and other locations of intermittent habitation.

Map of ancient Egypt with town names in hieroglyphs
Index of four charts of ancient Egyptian Cities
Lower Egypt
Upper Egypt part 1
Upper Egypt and part of Nubia
Nubia
  a capital of ancient Egypt
  a capital of ancient Egypt and regional administrative center
Thonis italicized name: only the Greek name is known

Lower Egypt

edit
Town

(popular name)

In hieroglyphs Date founded Nome Patron deity Modern name Other name/s Note
Men-nefer (Memphis)
mn
n
nfrf
r
O24niwt
earlier than 3150 BC 1st Ptah (cult center) Mit Rahina Ineb-Hedj, Died-Sut, Ankh-Tawy, Menfe, Hut-ka-Ptah, Moph, Noph Capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom; capital of its nome
Khem (Letopolis)
Aa1O34G17O49
probably during Old Kingdom 2nd Khenty-irty Ausim Capital of its nome
Yamu (Apis)
M1 M1 M1 niwt
probably during Old Kingdom 3rd Hathor Kom el-Hisn Imu, Apis Capital of its nome
Raqote (Alexandria)
r
Z1
a
A35t

niwt
331 BC 3rd Serapis Alexandria Rhacotis, Rakotə, Eskendereyyah Alexandria was the intellectual and cultural center of the ancient world for some time; capital of the Ptolemaic Kingdom
Khito (Rosetta) 3rd Rashid Bolbitine, Bolbitinum, Bolbitinon, Trashit, Rakhit, Rexi Where Rosetta Stone was found
Ptkheka (Ptkheka) 4th Neith Tanta Capital of its nome
Zau (Sais)
z
G39
G1G43O49
earlier than 3300 BC 5th Neith (cult center) Sa el-Hagar Capital of 24th and 26th Dynasties; capital of its nome
Per-Wadjet (Buto)
A18X1
O49
earlier than 3250 BC 5th Wadjet (cult center) Tell al-Fara'in Pe and Dep, Butus, Butosus Where Predynastic Buto-culture was found
Khasut (Xois)
xAswwt
niwt
6th Amun Sakha Xeos, Skhoo Capital of its nome
Timinhor (Damanhur)
D46W19M17M17O49W24G5Z1
later than 1200 BC 7th Damanhur Hermopolis Mikra, Tel Ballamon Capital of its nome
Piemro (Naucratis)
niwtkA
r
T
niwt
7th century BC 7th Thoth Kom Gieif Ναύκρατις First permanent Greek colony; major center for Greek Egyptian sea trade
Thonis (Heracleion)
iab
t
 
12th century BC 7th Amun Ἡράκλειον Egypt's main port during Late Period; sister city of Naucratis
Menouthis (Menouthis) 7th Isis and Serapis Sunk to the sea in 8th century AD; near Heracleion and Canopus
Pikuat (Canopus)
Q3
W11
Aa18U33X1
O49
Earlier than 600 BC 7th Osiris Aboukir Canobus, Kanobos, Kanopos, Schedia Principal port in Egypt for Greek trade before the foundation of Alexandria
Per-Atum (Pithom)
O1
Z1
X1
U15
G17X1
O49
Around 1900 BC 8th Atum Tell-el-Maskhuta Tjeku, Heroöpolis, Heroonopolis Capital of its nome
Djedu (Busiris)
R11R11G43O49
A small village until 3200 BC 9th Osiris Abu Sir Bana Per Usiri Capital of its nome
Hut-hery-ib (Athribis)
Hwtt
pr
tA
Hr ib
t
niwt
10th Repyt Banha Tell Atrib, Attrib, Medeenet Ashaysh Capital of its nome
Taremu (Leontopolis) 11th Bast and Sekhmet (cult center) Kafr Al Muqdam Leonto, Leontos, Tell el-Muqdam One of the capitals during the 23rd Dynasty; capital of its nome during Ptolemaic Period
Šetennu (Pharbaetus) earlier than 7th century BC 11th Hormerty Horbeit Shednu, Sheten, Pharbaethus Capital of its nome; one of the centers of the chiefs of the Meshwesh Libyans
Tjebnutjer (Sebennytos)
nTrTbniwt
12th Onuris Samanud Hometown of Manetho; capital of the 30th Dynasty; capital of its nome
Pachnamu´nis (Pachnamunis) 12th Principal town
Iunu (Heliopolis)
iwnnw
O49
earlier than 3250 BC 13th Ra (cult center) Ayn Shams Ôn, Āwen, Ὂν Capital of its nome
Tjaru (Sile)
G47Z1 E23
Z1 O49
14th Horus Tel el-Habua Zaru, Tharu, Djaru, Tjel, Sile, Edfu of Lower Egypt Largest ancient Egyptian fortress town; place of exile for criminals; capital of its nome
Per-Amun (Pelusium)
primn
n
C12niwt
Before 720 BC 14th Amun Tell el-Farama Sena, Seyân, Sin, Pelousion, Paramoun, Peremoun, Peromi Easternmost major Egyptian city; Battles of Pelusium
Weprehwy (Hermopolis Parva) Before 2575 BC 15th Tell al-Naqus Capital of its nome
Tamiat (Damietta) 15th Damietta Damiata, Domyat, Ταμίαθις, Tamiathis
Djedet (Mendes)
Ddd
t
niwt
earlier than 3250 BC 16th Banebdjedet Tell El-Ruba Per-Banebdjedet, Anpet Capital of the 29th Dynasty; capital of its nome
Semabehdet (Diospolis Inferior)
F36bH
d
t niwt
17th Tel El Balamun Capital of its nome
Per-Bast (Bubastis)
bAstt
niwt
Earlier than 3150 BC 18th Bastet (cult center) Tell-Basta Per-Bastet An ivory tag found in Tomb U-J dating 3150 BC many think has the Per-Bastet signature; One of the capitals during the 22nd and 23rd Dynasties; capital of its nome
Djanet (Tanis)
D
a
n
,
t niwt
late New Kingdom 19th Amun Tell Nebesha Thebes of the North, Ṣān al-Ḥagar, Zoan Capital of 21st and 22nd Dynasties; capital of its nome; important port for Asiatic trade; center of linen manufacture.
Hut-waret (Avaris)
O7t
pr
D56t
niwt
during Middle Kingdom 19th Set Tell el-Dab'a Auaris, Hawara, Athyria Capital of 14th and 15th Dynasties
Per-Ramessu (Pi-Ramesses)
pr
Z1
ramsss
1274 BC 19th Ramesses II Qantir Per-Rameses, Per Ramessu Founded by Ramesses II; absorbed Avaris; capital of Egypt during Ramesses II's reign
Per-Sopdu (Per-Sopdu)
pr
Z1
M44G13niwt
20th Amun Saft el-Hinna Soped, Pi-Sopt Capital of its nome

Upper Egypt

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Town

(popular name)

In hieroglyphs Date founded Nome Patron deity Modern name Other name/s Note
Abu (Elephantine)
E26O49
earlier than 3000 BC 1st Khnum (cult center) Aswan Yebu Capital of its nome
Swenett (Aswan)
sE34
n
t
niwt
1st Swenett Aswan Syene Location of stone quarries for Syenite granite
Nubt (Kom Ombo)
S12
X1 O49
earlier than 3000 BC 1st Sobek (cult center) Kom Ombo Omboi, Ombos, Ambo, Ombi Garrison throughout pharaonic history; arch-enemy of the city of Dendera
Behdet (Edfu)
F18
D46
X1
O49
earlier than 3000 BC 2nd Horus (cult center) Naga el-Goneima Apollonopolis Magna, Apollinopolis Magna, Djeba, Utes-Hor Capital of its nome
Nekheb (El Kab)
swbnwniwt
earlier than 3500 BC 3rd Nekhbet (cult center) El Kab Eileithyiaspolis, Lucinae Civitas Capital of its nome before Nekhen; surrounded by a massive mud brick wall
Nekhen (Hierakonpolis)
O47
n
niwt
earlier than 3210 BC 3rd Horus (cult center) El Kab Al-Kom Al-Aħmar Capital of its nome after Nekheb; opposite Nekheb on the other side of the Nile
Ta-senet (Latopolis)
HDstN35
X1
R24I12O49
earlier than Middle Kingdom 3rd Khnum Esna Iunyt, Polis Latton, Lato Capital of its nome after Nekhen
Waset (Thebes)
R19t
niwt
earlier than 5000 BC 4th Amun (cult center) Luxor Niwt-rst, Niwt-Imn, Nōʼ ʼĀmôn, No, Iunu-shema, Diospolis Magna, Ta-pe, Hundred-gated Thebes Capital of Egypt during most of Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom; capital of its nome; foremost religious center
Per-Hathor (Aphroditopolis)
O1
Z1
O10O49
earlier than 3000 BC 4th Hathor Gebelein Inerty, Pathyris, Naga el-Gherira
Iuny (Hermonthis)
O28N35M17O49
4th Montu (cult center) Armant Erment, Iunu-Montu Capital of its nome during Cleopatra VII
Sumenu (Crocodilopolis)
G38 G38 G38 niwt
earlier than Middle Kingdom 4th Sobek (cult center) el-Mahamid Qibly Imiotru Different from Shedet (also called Crocodilopolis)
Djerty (El-Tod) during Old Kingdom 4th Montu El-Tod Ḏrty, Touphion, Tuphium, Thouôt, Tuot
Madu (Medamud) 4th Montu Medamud
Nubt (Naqada)
S12
X1 O49
earlier than 3500 BC 5th Set (cult center) Naqada Ombos, South Town Where the Pre-dynastic Naqada culture was found
Iushenshen (Iushenshen)
N18Z1V7
N35
V7
N35
O49
earlier than 3000 BC 5th Khozam Capital of its nome during Old Kingdom
Gesy (Qus)
W11S29Aa17G1O49
5th Horus Qus Gesa, Apollonopolis Parva, Apollinopolis Mikra, Apollonos minoris A point of departure for expeditions to the Red Sea
Gebtu (Koptos)
V33D58G4O49
Earlier than 3200 BC 5th Min (cult center) Qift Kebto, Keft, Justinianopolis Capital of its nome; commercial center for the Upper Egyptian Red Sea trade through Wadi Hammamat
Iunet (Dendera)
O1
Z1
G25Aa1
X1
E1X1
O49
6th Hathor (cult center) Dendera Tentyra, Tentyris, Nikentori, Nitentori Capital of its nome
Seshesh (Hu)
Hwtt
pr
z
S
msxmZ2
pr
niwt
earlier than 3100 BC 7th Bat, then Hathor Hu Diospolis Parva, Diospolis Superior, Hut-Sekhem, Hiw Capital of its nome
Abdju (Abydos)
AbbDw
O49
earlier than 3000 BC 8th Khentiamentiu, then Osiris (cult center) and Isis al-Birba Osiris Capital of its nome
Tjenu (Thinis)
V13
N35
T14M17O49
earlier than 4000 BC 8th Anhur This Capital of the 1st and 2nd Dynasties; still unlocated
Ipu (Akhmim)
M17Q3G43O49
earlier than 3100 BC 9th Min (cult center) Akhmim Apu, Khent-min, Khmin, Shmin, Khemmis, Chemmis, Panopolis Capital of its nome
Hut-Repyt (Athribis)
O6X1
O1
D21
Q3
M17 M17 X1
H8
O49
9th Repyt Wannina Triphieion, Tripheion Distinct from Hut-hery-ib (Athribis)
Tjebu (Qau)
TbTbW
W
niwt
10th Nemty (cult center) Qaw el-Kebir Djew-Qa, Antaeopolis Capital of its nome
Shashotep (Hypselis)
M8O34
R4
O49
11th Khnum Shutb Apotheke Capital of its nome
Per-Nemty (Hieracon) 12th Nemty al Atawla Hierakon Capital of its nome
Zawty (Asyut)
O34
G39
wt
O49
13th Anubis (cult center), Wepwawet (cult center) Asyut Sauty, Syut, Syowt, Lycopolis, Lycon, Lyco Capital of its nome
Qis (Cusae)
N29M17S29O49
14th Hathor el-Qusiya Kis, Kusai Capital of its nome
Akhetaten (Amarna)
N27it
n
N5
O49
around 1346 BC 14th Aten (cult center) Tell el-Amarna Capital of Egypt during Akhenaten's reign
Khemenu (Hermopolis Magna)
Z1
Z1
Z1
Z1
Z1
Z1
Z1
Z1
W24
O49
15th Thoth (cult center), Ogdoad El Ashmunein Hermopolis Megale, Hermupolis Capital of its nome
Herwer (Herwer)
D2
D21
Z7Aa19N31
D21
O49
16th Khnum and Heqet Hur Capital of its nome
Hebenu (Hebenu)
V28D58N35
W24 Z7
D40
O49
16th Kom el Ahmar Capital of its nome before Herwer
Per-Imen-mat-khent(j) (Akoris) earlier than Old Kingdom 16th Tihna el-Gebel Mer-nefer(et), Dehenet
Saka (Cynopolis)
Aa18
Z1
kAD53t
niwt
17th Anubis (cult center) El Kays Hardai, Cynopolis Superior Capital of its nome
Tayu-djayet (El Hiba)
tAiiwDAiit
niwt
18th El Hiba Teudjoi, Ankyronpolis Capital of its nome
Per-Medjed (Oxyrhynchus)
pr
Z1
G20DN31
niwt
19th el-Bahnasa Pemdje, Oxyrrhynkhoupolis Capital of its nome
Henen-nesut (Herakleopolis Magna)
M23A17A17A17X1
O49
earlier than 3000 BC 20th Heryshaf (cult center) Ihnasiyyah al-Madinah Nenj-neswt, Ehnasya, Hnas, Ahnas Capital of the 9th and 10th Dynasties; capital of its nome
Itjtawy (Itjtawy) ~1920 BC 20th or 21st Amenemhat-itj-tawyolis Capital of the 12th and 13th Dynasties; still unlocated
Shedet (Crocodilopolis)
F30
D46
X1
O49
21st Sobek (cult center) Faiyum Arsinoë, Fayoum, She-resy Capital of its nome
Ta may Sobek neb Pay pa necer aa (Soknopaiou Nesos) 21st Sobek (as Soknopaios) Dimeh es-Seba (Arabic: ديمة السباع) tȝ mȝy Sbk nb Pay pȝ nṯr ʿȝ
Tepihu (Aphroditopolis)
t
p
I10hwO49
22nd Hathor (cult center during Greek period) Atfih Petpeh Capital of its nome

Nubia

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Town

(popular name)

In hieroglyphs Date founded Nome Patron deity Modern name Other name/s Note
Chenem-Waset (Amara West) During Seti I's reign none Amara, Nubia Per-Menmaatre, Per-Rameses-meri-Amun Official residence of the representative of Kush
Iken (Mirgissa)
M17A2q
n
N25
earlier than 4500 BC none Hathor Fortress town; now submerged in Lake Nasser
Buhen (Buhen)
D58O4N35
N25
earlier than 3000 BC none Buhen Largest fortress town in Nubia; housed a copper factory

Red Sea Coast

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Town

(popular name)

In hieroglyphs Date founded Nome Patron deity Modern name Other name/s Note
Berenice (Berenice)
SAisHr
r
t t
xAst
275 BC none Medinet-el Haras Berenike, Berenice Troglodytica, Baranis Founded by Ptolemy II; named after his mother, Berenice I of Egypt
Tao (Leucus Limen)[2] earlier than New Kingdom none El Qoseir Leucus Limen, Kosseir, Al Qusair, El Quseir, Qusseir, Qosseir Important trading port during pharaonic times, where goods from Red Sea and beyond entered Egypt

See also

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References

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  1. ^ List of provinces ('nomes') of ancient Egypt. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/. Retrieved on 2016-03-05.
  2. ^ "A tale of an ancient Red Sea city, Quseir - Walks - Heritage". Ahram Online. Retrieved 2022-10-31.