Thebes / Luxor
Location
About
Ancient Thebes (modern Luxor) was the capital of Egypt during its greatest imperial period (New Kingdom, 1570-1070 BCE) and the home of the god Amun-Ra. The east bank contains the magnificent temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor; the west bank, known as the 'City of the Dead,' holds the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and the mortuary temples of the pharaohs. No city produced more ancient monuments.
Significance
Thebes was the religious capital of the most powerful state in the ancient world for nearly five centuries. The Temple of Karnak, expanded by virtually every pharaoh of the New Kingdom, is the largest religious building complex ever constructed. The Valley of the Kings contains the tombs of Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, Thutmose III, and Seti I — the most concentrated repository of royal funerary art in existence.
History & Historical Arc
Thebes rose to prominence during the 11th Dynasty (2055 BCE) and became the national capital under the 18th Dynasty (155…
Archaeological Notes
Thebes is the most extensively excavated site in Egypt. The Valley of the Kings contains 65 known tombs. Howard Carter's…
Key Features & Structures
- Karnak Temple complex
- Luxor Temple
Visitor Information
Open year-round. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Extensive site requiring multiple days. Sound and light shows at Karnak.
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- Herodotus, Histories 2.55-57
- Strabo, Geography 17.1.46