Frieze - Valley of the Kings
Thebes (name given by the Greeks)
Niwt or Niwt-rst (Egyptian - meaning 'city' or 'southern city')
Waset (the district - also used as the city name)
Diospolis (ancient Greek)
No or No-Amon (biblical)
Diospolis Magna (Roman)
Egypt
Both sides of the Nile
City and temples - east side
(including Luxor and Karnak)
Necropolis - west side
Temple complex - Karnak (east side)
Egyptian timelines 1 2 3 4 5 6
2575BC-2134BC
Thebes is part of recorded history - during the Old Kingdom.
2323BC-2152BC
Tombs from the 6th Dynasty of Egyptian kings have been discovered in
the necropolis on the west side of the Nile.
2134BC-2040BC
Kings of the 9th and 10th dynasties rule during this period - from
Herakliopolis.
Thebes becomes the administrative centre of a powerful line of nomarchs
(governors).
They successfully challenge the Herakleopolitan pharaohs, and gain
control of Egypt 2040bc.
This establishes the Theban dynasty of kings and Thebes becomes the
capital of Egypt until 1785bc.
1785BC - 1630BC
Egypt is a divided kingdom.
In the lower Nile region Memphis is doninant, Thebes in the upper Nile
region.
Ancient Egypt
1630BC
The Hyksos inavde Egypt.
Thebes breaks away.
It becomes a regional capital, after Memphis has been conquered and
assimilated by the Hyksos.
The Hyksos rule from Avaris from 1630bc - 1521bc as the 15th dynasty.
The Hyksos are ousted by Ahmose following the Theben revolt.
1570BC-1070BC
The New Kingdom.
Thebes is the capital of the New Kingdom throughout the period (except
during the reign of Akhenaton).
1353BC-1335BC
The Pharoah and reformer Akhenaton.
He moves the capital up river to Akhetaten (Amarna).
However, many monuments are built in Thebes during this
period.
Thebes is re-established as capital after Akhenaton's death 1335bc.
1307BC-1070BC
The 19th and 20th dynasties.
This is a period of monument building in Thebes.
1080BC-775BC
Thebes holds on to the reigns of power through the High Priests of Amun.
7th Century BC
The Assyrians sack Thebes.
It is later partly restored.
332BC - Persia defeated by the Macedonians.
Thebes goes into decline.
1st Century BC
Thebes is destroyed by the Romans.
Religion and the Priesthood 1 2
The deity of the city was Amon, originally the god of reproductive forces and, later as Amon-Ra, the "father of the gods".
The Temple of Amon is at Karnak.
Tombs of the Pharoahs
Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Queens
Ramesseum, (Ramesses 2nd R.1290-1224bc)
Temple of Ramesses 3rd (R. 1194-1163bc), and mortuary (Medinat Habu)
Temple of Hatshepsut (R.1473-1458bc)
Amun, Mut, Khonsu - The Theben triad of gods
Thebes is the world's largest city from 1980bc-1770bc with over 65000 people, and again from 1400bc-668bc.
Society 1
Eastern Trading Routes
Roads, building and paving, and transportation
Cutting and moving stone weights, often over long distances
Organisation of a huge workforce
Contruction of gigantic monuments, and great buildings
Papyrus 1
Technology 1 2 3 (general reference)
Thebes, Egypt, has been regarded as a huge administrative centre for the passing on of the dead, and related issues.
Thebes held power in Egypt (2130bc-775bc) if not directly then in some other way. From the 11th dynasty, 2130bc (middle kingdom), through the 18th dynasty (new kingdom), and in some form until 775bc including the High Priests of Amun.