Memphis, Egypt from Lost Cities of The World

Memphis was a capital of Ancient Egypt. According to Herodotus-Menes, who united two kingdoms of Egypt-the Upper and the Lower, established the city in 3,100 B.C. With the approximate number of 30.000 inhabitants it was the biggest settlement of the ancient world. For centuries it was a great administrative center, until it was deserted due to the rise of Alexandria and Thebes. During the 6th Dynasty,it accomplished its peak as a center of the cult of Ptah, the god of craftsmen and artisans. Many temples, palaces and gardens were built at the time. A great part of its architecture is lost, because the stone from its buildings was taken for the surrounding settlements. Only the royal pyramids,and some other tombs, several statues and the remains of the temple of Ptah and Apis survived.