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Ancient Egypt / Cities and Villages /
Hermopolis Magna
Ancient Egyptian:
khmun
Cult centre of the Ancient Egyptian god, Thoth, and capital of the 15th Upper Egyptian nome, Hare. It lies on the western bank of the Nile, near modern Mallawi, south of Minya.
The name is from the Greeks, who associated Thoth with Hermes, thereby using the name Hermopolis.
Most of the religious buildings here date back to the Middle and New Kingdoms. Many buildings were made from stone blocks taken from Akhetaten (now Tell el-Amarna) when the monotheistic cult of Akhenaten was abandoned in the second half of the 14th century BCE.
There are the remains of a temple of Thoth and even smaller remains of a temple of Amon. Among the few things still standing here are a pair of colossi of Thoth as a baboon.
The most impressive structure today dates to the 5th century CE, and is a Christian basilica.
Near Hermopolis lies the cemetery known as Tuna el-Gebel, where a labyrinth and catacombs have been found, which were used in the cults.
The area of Hermopolis has only been partly excavated. The poor condition of the town today relates largely to it being built on a low level, thereby victim to the annual floodings of the Nile.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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