Thebes Location and Name

Thebes is located in the Upper Nile region of Egypt. On the east bank of the Nile River, about 800 km south of Cairo and 500 km north of Aswan. It is located about 25 km northeast of Luxor. It is famous as one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt. The East Bank and the West Bank of the Nile River.

The East Bank was the location of the city proper, with temples, houses, and administrative buildings. The West Bank was the location of the Valley of the Kings and Queens. Where the pharaohs and their families were buried in elaborate tombs. The city of Thebes was strategically located at a point where the Nile River narrows, making it easy to control trade and communication up and down the river. The city was also an important religious center, with many temples dedicated to the gods of ancient Egypt. Including the famous Temple of Amun at Karnak.

Name            

In fact, the name “Thebes” comes from the ancient Egyptian name “Waset”, which means “city of the scepter” or “city of the Kas”. The word “Waset” referred to the city’s importance as the political capital and religious center of ancient Egypt. Later, the Greeks called it “Thebai” or “Thebes”, which was derived from the ancient Egyptian name. The city was also famous as “No-Amun” or “No”, meaning “the city of Amun”. This name referred to the importance of the god Amun. Who was the chief god in the city’s religious pantheon.

In fact, Thebes was famous to be the birthplace of Amun, and the Temple of Amun at Karnak was the largest and most important temple in the city. The name Thebes has been used to refer to several ancient cities around the world. Including the city of Thebes in ancient Greece. However, when people refer to “Thebes” without any further qualification, they usually mean the ancient city in Egypt.