Memphis was the capital of Southern Egypt. Its ancient name meant ‘The White Walls’.
According to mythology, the city was built by the king of Egypt, Epaphos who was the son of Zeus and gave the city the name of his daughter Memphis.
Initially, construction began to protect the area from Nile floods. Over the years it became a cosmopolitan center with a dominant presence. It also had a strong religious and military role. In its territory there were great sculptures, frescoes and tombs. Greeks, Jews, Phoenicians, Libyans and other ethnic groups lived there.
The pharaohs were crowned there. So Alexander the Great was proclaimed a pharaoh in this place.
Today, its ruins are located 19 kilometers south of Cairo.
[Source: el.wikipedia.org]
