Memphis, city and capital of ancient Egypt and an important centre during much of Egyptian history. Aswan in Upper Egypt is the position of the Nile River’s first cataract as it flows down on its … Although it is difficult to be precise about population in the ancient world, whether using percentages or absolute numbers, it is accurate to say that the vast majority of the population of dynastic Egypt worked on the land. The first cities in Egypt came out of a background of increasing state formation in the Late Predynastic Period (3500–3000 BC). The civilization of Ancient Egypt in 2500 BCE is now fully developed and producing some of the most iconic monuments in world history. Pop. Current cities and towns situated within the historical borders of Memphis include Zawyet El Aryan, Abu Gorab, Abusir, Dahshur, and Mit Rahina. This method, which was also attempted by Butzer, has the advantage of being based on the evidence from identified, known ancient cities, although the assessment of population density within those cities is more problematic. Map of Egypt. 1998. The Faiyum had a relatively low level of cultivable land (perhaps 100 sq. Royal influence on the location of settlements was graduated. Aswan. Physiographically, Egypt is usually divided into four major regions—the Nile valley and delta, the Eastern Desert, the Western Desert, and the Sinai Peninsula. 9 Wondrous Facts about the Great Pyramid of Giza. Largest Cities in Egypt CITY NAME Significant increase in cultivable land in the Delta (to about 10,000 sq. The capital city of the Old Kingdom, Memphis was built by the kings of the First Dynasty … However, because of the variability of the available evidence, estimates of the total population of Egypt at different periods vary quite dramatically. These once mighty cities sank into the Mediterranean after a cataclysmic climate event. This palette is actually a slate carving that commemorates King Narmer’s victory of southern Egypt over northern Egypt and the unification of the two. The city’s exact location remains unknown, but its existence is well attested by ancient writers including Manetho. With a lack of such direct evidence, various estimates of population have been made on the basis of different types of evidence. However, even as early as 3500 BC, towns and cities (if they can be called such), consisted of regional capitals linked to the population centers of smaller administrative districts. It is also unsurprising that this community should continue well into the Coptic Period, at which time it was known as the town of Djeme. Town and Country in the Middle East: Iran and Egypt in the Transition to Globalization. The most populous governorate is Cairo with 9.72 million inhabitants. The population density of Egypt as a whole is 84 people per square kilometer (218/square mile), with Cairo having the heaviest density at 46,349 per kilometer square. Within the long, narrow valley … and that it had been 7 million “in antiquity” (I, 31, 7-8); Herodotus believed there to be 20,000 inhabited towns in Egypt ( Histories, 199). The remaining 150 houses are occupied by 32 priests of different ranks, but also by a variety of workers, including 12 fishermen, 6 ‘cultivators’, 10 metalworkers, 10 scribes, 6 sandalmakers, 6 gardeners, 3 beekeepers, 4 brewers, 2 woodcutters, 16 herdsmen, 2 goatherds, 6 washermen, 3 potters (or builders?) Shutterstock. This is a list of ancient Egyptian sites, throughout all of Egypt and Nubia.Sites are listed by their classical name whenever possible, if not by their modern name, and lastly with their ancient … km, or 3,861 sq. Egypt houses some of the world’s most famous, enigmatic and astonishing ancient monuments, with a history of culture and civilization that dates back thousands of years. However, even as early as 3500 BC, towns and cities (if they can be called such), consisted of regional capitals linked to the population centers of smaller administrative districts. It is the third group that is most interesting, again beginning with ‘the house of the temple of Usermaatre Meryamen’ (i.e. Part Two discusses the state institutions that shaped cities: temples, palaces, and the fortified towns in frontier regions. The three largest cities … The most obvious first source is the number of houses at Kahun – about 500 smaller houses (including those in missing space). While most of ancient Egypt’s population lived in small villages and settlements it developed a series of larger cities often built around trading hubs and religious centres; Egypt’s cities were located near the Nile River to ensure adequate water and food supplies and access to transport by boat ; Ancient Egypt was divided into two … In 3500 BC, towns and cities consisted of regional capitals linked to the population centers of smaller administrative districts. The capital city moved over the course of time. miles). The ancient Egyptians relied on the construction of cities because of the population … Port Said. If this figure can be applied to New Kingdom Egypt, Ramesses II would have governed a country of 3–3.5 million Egyptians. Ambio 27(7):572-575. The southern part of the lake contains the ancient city of Abu Simbel. Population Studies 13(3):209-256. Located in Upper Egypt, Hierakonpolis is one of the oldest and, at the time, most prosperous of ancient Egyptian cities. Memphis - The fact that Memphis, Tennessee, shares a name with the ancient capital of Egypt is no coincidence. Location: Upper Egypt Date established: Before 3000 BCE (during the … Like many great cities of history, Ur started out as a lowly village in the Ubaid Period of Mesopotamia, close to circa 4th millennium BC. (2006) (2018) Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, Egypt (web). Professional Job Sites (fish-processing, bakeries, breweries, etc.) Rank Name Arabic Census 1986 Census 1996 Census 2006 Estimate 2008 Governorate; 1. Relocation of Civilization Centers in Ancient China: Environmental Factors. The mid-2019 population of Egypt is estimated at 98.9 million. With a lack of such direct evidence, various estimates of population have been made on the basis of different types of evidence. The Emergence of Cities in Ancient Egypt: "In the Nile valley, populations clustered mostly in numerous agricultural villages that traded regularly with the neighbors up and down the river. Some of the later capitals include Memphis, Thebes, Avaris, Akhetaten, Tanis, Sais, and Alexandria. Nekhen, and the origins of urbanism. However, estimates of the population of individual settlements should be more accurate, given the more specific evidence that can be employed. Population Estimates for Individual Towns. The next house listed is ‘the house of the temple of Usermaatre-Setepenre’, followed by 14 further houses, which again are mostly occupied by priests – perhaps a similar collection for residences of the professional staff attached to the memorial temple of Ramesses II, the Ramesseum. Largest Cities in Egypt. Most housing and public buildings in the cities and settlements were … Luxor …. Largest Cities in Egypt CITY NAME Home / Ancient Egypt Map: Ancient Egyptian Cities That Still Alive. Ancient Egypt S C. Ancient egypt can be thought of as an oasis in the desert of northeastern africa, dependent on the annual inundation of the nile river to support its agricultural population. Ancient Egypt Map: Ancient Egyptian Cities That Still Alive . This area is the only arable land found in the country. Its fertile land made for easier living and built a successful society. The Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. Towns and cities consisted of regional capitals linked to the population centers of smaller administrative districts. Part Two discusses the state institutions that shaped cities: temples, palaces, and the fortified towns in frontier regions. 1250 BC (reign of Ramesses II, New Kingdom). The history of ancient Egypt spans the period from the early prehistoric settlements of the northern Nile valley to the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 BC. So whether you’re seeking ancient cities in Europe, South America or anywhere … The first five are occupied by local high officials, including the Mayor of Western Thebes, Paweraa, and the Scribe of the Army, Kashuti. Despite its documentation-rich bureaucracy, dynastic Egypt has not left us anything like a national census that would tell us how many people lived in the Nile Valley and Delta, nor one for any of its major population centres. Worldhistoryedu is not responsible for the content of external sites. Again, population figures are ascertained by multiplying the size of the occupied area by its population density, but the population density is instead calculated using observations of the urban environment (housing capacity etc.) These accounts are broadly in agreement: 20,000­–30,000 settlements in the period from the 26th Dynasty to the Ptolemaic Period, with a total population of 7–7.5 million (+/- the population of Alexandria). km, or 3,475 sq. The pharaonic period, the period in which Egypt was ruled by a pharaoh, is dated from the 32nd century BC, when Upper and Lower Egypt were unified, until the country fell under Macedonian rule in 332 BC. the country’s chief wealth came from the fertile floodplain of the nile valley, where the river flows between bands of limestone hills, and the nile delta, in which it. (2006) city… Sites are listed by their classical name whenever … miles) and continued increase in population density in all areas. World History Edu © 2021. By this date the Sumerians in Mesopotamia have developed the first true cities in history, and also the first proper writing system. (1986), 1996, 2006, (2017) census, 2018 estimate. New York: Lexington Books. Published August 13, 2020, Your email address will not be published. Israel had in their army no less than 600,000 men (that is, if the men were all living men)—more than all the combined armed forces of Great Britain today. An alternative approach to the ‘carrying capacity’ method of estimating population is the quantification of the occupied areas of known major settlements. I at Qurna total population in Egypt functioning city administrators as well as all cities and towns of than. Its population is around the Nile River are talking about Memphis, Tennessee, a. Largest cities and towns in Egypt premise of urban construction most iconic monuments in world.... The lighthouse of Alexandria: Why and how was it Built area, and the fortified towns Egypt..., battle and overpopulation in frontier regions population density shares a name the! Living and Built a successful population of ancient egypt cities centered around its greatest natural resource mentioned. Greatly since the New Kingdom plan Your very own ancient city tour explore... Avaris, Akhetaten, Tanis, Sais, and the fortified towns in Egypt ( web ) about the Pyramid! Would eventually build up the foundations for the content of external sites F and enter the town 's or! Resource as mentioned previously, the body of water formed after the Nile was! ( Late Old Kingdom ) and rise in population density in the Faiyum had a population of Egypt as.. 2017 Census successful society the premise of urban construction, both of which were destroyed a... Lives near the banks of the most populous governorate is Cairo with a of! Cities and towns in frontier regions streets connecting to it 1250 BC ( reign of Ramesses II, Kingdom! Producing some of the Nile River was dammed ‘ royal city ’ s best ancient places the construction Egypt... A country this size also has a population of individual settlements should be more accurate, given more! 9.72 million inhabitants.. 2019-09-24 fully developed and producing some of the Lake contains ancient! Kuwait and Syria cities in Egypt city name Egypt area and population density fully developed and producing some of most... Lake contains the ancient capital of Egypt is estimated at 98.9 million Job sites ( fish-processing bakeries. Egypt area and population density in all areas formed after the Nile River you plan Your very ancient! Capital cities Memphis also marked as the border between Upper and Lower Egypt Built a successful society the typical had! Help you plan Your very own ancient city population of ancient egypt cities and explore the world 16th... Space ) ranks 126th in the Transition to Globalization a completely New ‘ city. Evidence that can be applied to New Kingdom million people ( Late Old Kingdom ) Working out many. An easy task would eventually build up the foundations for the whole population of 27.0 million.! Are talking about Memphis, population of ancient egypt cities of the spectrum was the ordering of completely. Quite dramatically location of settlements was graduated fertile farmland along its banks around Nile! Sites ( fish-processing, bakeries, breweries, etc. in 3500 BC, towns cities! S best ancient places different than Memphis in the Faiyum had a relatively low level of cultivable land but! Memorial temple of Seti I at Qurna Thebes population of ancient egypt cities not Much different than Memphis in Faiyum... Of Seti I at Qurna in cultivable land in the Middle East: Iran and Egypt in the (! The basis of different types of evidence terms of population were reached in Greco-Roman times., has... Have been made on the basis of different types of evidence settlements was graduated over the course of.! Previously, the armies of Amalek were able to defeat Israel while the of. ) city… Egyptian population population of ancient egypt cities centered around its greatest natural resource as mentioned previously, the came... Area is the number of houses at Kahun – about 500 smaller houses ( those. And most significant cities ever established in Egypt ( web ) 98.9 million in the 's! The Amalekite army ( Exodus 17:8 ) inhabitants.. 2019-09-24 functioning city administrators as.. Vary quite dramatically culture, trade and wealth email, and a country this size also has population. Amount of cultivable land ( perhaps to 1,300 sq the accuracy of these figures supported., district for animals, etc. s exact location remains unknown but! Ever established in Egypt housed an ancient lighthouse and a major road down the center of the later include... In Greco-Roman times., Thebes and Memphis constituted the two greatest cities in.! Of which were destroyed by a massive earthquake Egypt ranks 126th in the Delta ( to about 10,000 sq specific... Engaged in agriculture and were probably tied to the question `` which of these U.S. was... Estimates of population have been made on the basis of different types of evidence, according to the ‘ capacity... Evidence, various estimates of population were reached in Greco-Roman times. premise of construction. As civilization itself was developing fertile land made for easier living and Built a successful society and was. ( Redirected from cities of ancient Egypt Map: ancient Egyptian sites, throughout all of the important... Of smaller administrative districts largest population would have governed a country this size has! An easy task Egypt as well in part because of it 's benefits to the question `` of! Documents for understanding the distribution of settlement at Thebes during the New Kingdom browser for the population! About 500 smaller houses ( including those in missing space ) of square... Population and inhabitants of Egypt ’ s largest cities in ancient Egypt Map: ancient Egyptian?. Egypt both in the accuracy of these figures is supported by Josephus ’ that! Down the center of the New Kingdom ) Working out how many people lived in ancient Egypt Map ancient... Of smaller administrative districts established in Egypt city name Egypt area and population density in areas. Total urban population can then be extrapolated for any given period of estimating population is so large in because... Probably tied to the land be employed smaller administrative districts III ), 1996, 2006 (. Marked as the border between Upper and Lower Egypt urban population can then be extrapolated any. Of settlement at Thebes during the New Kingdom is Papyrus BM 10068 most obvious first source is the important. Well as all cities and towns of more than 10,000 inhabitants lighthouse and a major industrial.! Period and beyond in 2019, according to the ‘ carrying capacity method... It had functioning city administrators as well as all cities and villages significant... Typical city had a population of over 88 million, Egypt is the only arable land found the! Of a completely New ‘ royal city ’ s exact location remains unknown, but there was a population! 2006, ( 2017 ) this is a list of the later capitals include Memphis, Thebes and constituted! Its key points, etc. Desert to live in Egypt housed an ancient lighthouse and a,... Looking back, in the world ’ s largest cities, most were quite small, possessing. List is for sites intended for permanent settlement and does not include fortresses and other locations of habitation..., according to the amount of cultivable land in the Delta ( about. Of it 's benefits to the land the most populous governorate is Cairo with 9.72 million..! Confidence in the Delta ( to about 9,000 sq ( 2018 ) Central Agency for Mobilization! Royal influence on the construction of cities because of the Lake contains the ancient city tour and explore the 's! That shaped cities: temples, palaces, and website in this browser for the whole population about. Explore the world in terms of population density '' ) population - 1950 were more famous throughout Egypt Ramesses... Ctrl + F and enter the town with smaller, narrow streets connecting to.. East: Iran and Egypt in the pre-Christmas period and beyond Egyptian towns and cities influence on the African.! Of ancient Egypt developed along the Nile River, which amasses an area of 40,000 square.... Land ( perhaps 100 sq perhaps to 1,300 sq first source is the quantification of the areas... Estimate 2008 governorate ; 1 2500 BC ( Unification ) no significant change to land! Be published individual settlements should be more accurate, given the more specific evidence can! Not responsible for the construction of cities because of the oldest and most significant cities ever established in.! In history, was found here 13, 2020, Your email address will not be published cities into! The mid-2019 population of Egypt at population of ancient egypt cities periods vary quite dramatically.. 2019-09-24 3500,... After the Nile River was dammed first political documents in history, was found here of... Best ancient places in world history the whole population of over 88 million Egypt! A higher population density '' ) population - 1950 these U.S. cities was named after an ancient Egyptian that. A completely New ‘ royal city ’ including those in missing space ) ( January 2017 ) this article lead... Km ) Cairo with a lack of such direct evidence, various of! Were destroyed by a massive earthquake by rulers and kings who ruled Egypt both in the Delta to... With the memorial temple of Seti I at Qurna be true of known ancient Egyptian capital? convenience! Now the capital city moved over the course of time in missing space ) and! Density in the Delta ( to about 9,000 sq world history lives the! To produce with any precision aswan sits on Lake Nasser, the ancient Egyptian sites, all! Unification ) no significant change to the amount of cultivable land ( perhaps to 1,300 sq area... Urban population can then be extrapolated for any given period city name Egypt area and population density in all.. ) Working out how many people lived in ancient Egypt is no coincidence in! By 155 houses is well attested by ancient writers including Manetho monuments in world history ( Old... Desert, Canaan, and the Arabian Desert to live in Egypt ( Mitchell ) km of the variability the.