Memphis (also named Ineb-Hedj, Aneb-Hetch, or Men-nefer) was the ancient capital of Egypt for most of the pharaonic time. It was founded in a strategic location, at the point where the Nile delta meets the Nile valley by the pharao Menes around 3100BC. Memphis was a splendid capital filled with palaces, gardens and temples, which made it one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. Following the conquest of Egypt by the Persians in the 6th century BC, Memphis underwent a slow but steady decline. Very little is left nowadays of Memphis. The remains are all located in a small archaeological park located near Sakkara, about 24km south of Cairo. Memphis and its necropolis have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979.
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