Pi-Ramesses

Pi-Ramesses, the capital of ancient Egypt, was founded by Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC. It was located in the eastern Nile Delta, approximately 115 km northeast of modern-day Cairo. The city was known as Per-Ramesses or Pi-Ramesses, which means “The House of Ramesses.” It was the largest city in Egypt during Ramesses II’s reign and served as the administrative center of the country.

One of the main reasons for founding Pi-Ramesses was to establish a new capital away from the traditional capital of Memphis, which was vulnerable to attack due to its proximity to the Libyan and Nubian deserts. The new city was strategically located on the main land routes that connected Egypt with its Asian neighbors, including the city of Jerusalem and the Hittite kingdom.

The city was built on a vast area of approximately 20 km² and included a massive palace complex, a large temple complex, and various administrative buildings. The Palace complex was located on the northern end of the city, and it was the residence of the royal family. Archaeologists have discovered that the palace complex was built using mud bricks, and its walls were decorated with colorful reliefs that depicted scenes of Ramesses II’s military campaigns.

The temple complex, which was one of the largest in Egypt, was dedicated to the god Ptah, the patron deity of Memphis. The temple was also dedicated to several other gods and goddesses, including Amun, Ra, and the goddess Hathor. The temple was renowned for its impressive architecture, which included massive pylons, obelisks, and colossal statues of the pharaoh. The city was also home to a large number of administrative and military buildings, including barracks and granaries. It was an important commercial hub, and its port on the Nile Delta allowed for easy transportation of goods to other parts of Egypt and beyond.

Despite its grandeur, Pi-Ramesses was abandoned soon after Ramesses II’s death in 1213 BC. The city was gradually swallowed by the Nile Delta’s shifting sands, and much of its architecture was dismantled, with many of its bricks reused in other constructions. Nowadays, few remains of the ancient capital are visible, and much of its history has been forgotten. However, studies and excavations by archaeologists have shed light on the city’s grandeur, and its importance as one of the greatest and most influential cities in all of ancient Egypt.