Leontopolis

Leontopolis was a city that served as the capital of Ancient Egypt during the North to South (Third) Intermediate Period, which dates back from 1070 BC to 712 BC. The city was located in the Nile Delta, on the east bank of the Rosetta Branch of the Nile River, which is in the modern-day Sharqia Governorate, near the city of Zagazig. The city’s name, which translates to “Lion City,” was derived from a sacred temple in the city which housed a statue of a lion-god, known as Mihos. The temple was said to have been built by Amenemhat III, a pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt.

Leontopolis rose to prominence during the rule of the Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt, which was formed after the expulsion of the Nubian kings from Thebes. The city became the new administrative center of the kingdom, taking over the role from Tanis, which had served as the capital during the period of the Twenty-first Dynasty. During the Twenty-first Dynasty, Leontopolis experienced a period of prosperity and growth as the city became a hub for trade, religion, and culture. Numerous temples were built in the city, and it became a significant center for the worship of the gods Horus and Mihos.

Leontopolis remained an important city throughout various periods of Ancient Egypt’s history, serving as a valuable agricultural and economic center for the region. However, it began to decline during the Ptolemaic era, one of the periods of foreign rule over Egypt, as Alexandria began to rise to prominence.

Today, the ruins of Leontopolis can still be seen at the location of the ancient city. Excavations have revealed numerous temples and other structures, shedding light on the culture and architecture of Ancient Egypt.

Overall, Leontopolis played a significant role in the history of Ancient Egypt and remains an important site for historians and archaeologists to study.