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Undo revision 1056866 by Shbdbdhd (talk) Derived from Arabic, not Egyptian. Not a commonly recognized old name for it, never referred to as such in ACO
 
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{{Quote|Memphis is the site of the Old Egyptian Capital, from where pharaohs are crowned.|Description.|Assassin's Creed: Origins}}
{{Quote|Memphis is the site of the Old Egyptian Capital, from where pharaohs are crowned.|Description.|Assassin's Creed: Origins}}
{{Location Infobox
{{Location Infobox
| name =  
| name = Memphis
| image = ACO Memphis.jpg
| image = ACO Memphis.jpg
| state = [[Egypt]]
| state = [[Egypt]]
| rulers = {{Wiki|Kingdom of Egypt}} {{c|31st century BCE – 305 BCE}}<br>[[Ptolemaic Kingdom]] {{c|305 BCE – 30 BCE}}<br>[[Roman Republic|Roman Republic]] and [[Roman Empire|Empire]] {{c|30 BCE – 7th century CE}}<br>{{Wiki|Rashidun Caliphate}} {{c|7th century}}
| rulers = {{Wiki|Kingdom of Egypt}} {{c|31st century BCE – 305 BCE}}<br>[[Ptolemaic Kingdom]] {{c|305 BCE – 30 BCE}}<br>[[Roman Republic|Roman Republic]] and [[Roman Empire|Empire]] {{c|30 BCE – 7th century CE}}<br>{{Wiki|Rashidun Caliphate}} {{c|7th century}}
| factions = Cult of Ptah<br>[[Order of the Ancients]]
| factions = Cult of Ptah<br>[[Order of the Ancients]]<br>[[Assassins|Hidden Ones]]
| founded = {{Wiki|Menes}}
| founded = {{Wiki|Menes}}
| date = c. 31st century BCE
| date = c. 31st century BCE
| abandoned = 7th century CE
| abandoned = 7th century CE
| landmark = [[Temple of Ptah]]<br>[[Temple of Hathor]]<br>[[Assassin bureau|Hidden One bureau]]
| landmark = [[Temple of Ptah]]<br>[[Temple of Hathor]]<br>[[Memphis bureau]]
| flags =
| targets = [[Hetepi]]
| targets = [[Hetepi]]}}
}}
'''Memphis''' was the capital of [[Egypt]] during the {{Wiki|Old Kingdom}}. For millennia afterwards, it remained one of the greatest economic centers of the country until the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom|Ptolemaic dynasty]] when it diminished in the face of [[Alexandria]]. Alongside [[Giza]], it was located on the west bank of the river [[Nile]] and was home to many famous tombs and landmarks, including the [[Great Pyramid of Giza|Great Pyramids]] and the [[Great Sphinx of Giza|Great Sphinx]].<ref>{{Ubisoft|url=en-us/game-info/world/index.aspx|text=World|int=Assassin's Creed: Origins|archivedate=2017-09-22|archiveurl=https://assassinscreed.ubisoft.com/game/en-us/game-info/world/index.aspx?section=Giza-Memphis}}</ref>
'''Memphis''' was the capital of [[Egypt]] during the {{Wiki|Old Kingdom of Egypt|Old Kingdom}}. For millennia afterwards, it remained one of the greatest economic centers of the country until the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom|Ptolemaic dynasty]], when it diminished in the face of [[Alexandria]]. Alongside [[Giza]], it was located on the west bank of the river [[Nile]] and was home to many famous tombs and landmarks, including the [[Great Pyramid of Giza|Great Pyramids]] and the [[Great Sphinx of Giza|Great Sphinx]].<ref>{{Ubisoft|url=en-us/game-info/world/index.aspx?section=giza-memphis|text=Assassin's Creed Origins World Map|archivedate=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011044623/https://assassinscreed.ubisoft.com/game/en-us/game-info/world/index.aspx?section=giza-memphis|subdomain=assassinscreed}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
Memphis was one of the largest cities of Egypt and was located in Lower Egypt. It was a central location for religious temples including the city's most important god, [[Ptah]], the god of creation.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The City of Memphis#Memphis,_Thebes_&_Sais|The City of Memphis]]: "Memphis, Thebes & Sais"</ref> The city was also referred to as "the city with the hundred doors" or "the white walls" in reference to the wall that surrounded the city. Under the protection of Ptah, the city was a thriving religious and economic hub.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The City of Memphis#The_White_Walls|The City of Memphis]]: "The White Walls"</ref>
One of the largest cities in Egypt, Memphis was located in Lower Egypt. It was a central location for religious temples, including the city's most important god, [[Ptah]], the god of creation.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The City of Memphis]]: "Memphis, Thebes & Sais"</ref>
 
The city was also referred to as "the city with the hundred doors" or "the white walls" in reference to the wall that surrounded it. Under Ptah's protection, the city was a thriving religious and economic hub.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The City of Memphis]]: "The White Walls"</ref>


==History==
==History==
During the {{Wiki|Third Dynasty of Egypt|Third Dynasty}}, under Pharaoh [[Djoser]], Memphis was the first religious and administrative capital of Egypt. Although the political capital decentralized, subsequent pharaohs were still crowned in the sacred city to legitimize their ascension to the throne, up to and including [[Alexander the Great]].<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The City of Memphis#The_First_Capital|The City of Memphis]]: "The First Capital"</ref>
===Egyptian capital===
During the {{Wiki|Third Dynasty of Egypt|Third Dynasty}}, under [[Pharaoh]] [[Djoser]], Memphis was the first religious and administrative capital of Egypt. Although the political capital decentralized, subsequent pharaohs were still crowned in the sacred city to legitimize their ascension to the throne, up to and including [[Alexander the Great|Alexander III of Macedon]].<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]'' – [[Tours: The City of Memphis]]: "The First Capital"</ref>
 
===The Lizard's curse===
In 48 BCE, the [[Medjay]] [[Bayek]] of [[Siwa]] traveled to Memphis in search of the [[Order of the Ancients]] member known as "The Lizard". Once in the city, he met the {{Wiki|High Priest of Ptah}} [[Pasherenptah]], who had been struggling to deal with the "curses" that plagued the city and his wife [[Taimhotep]], believed to have been caused by The Lizard.<ref name="The Lizard's Mask">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[The Lizard's Mask]]</ref>
 
Eventually, Bayek and his wife [[Amunet|Aya]] discovered that the twin [[priest]]esses [[Tawe]] and [[Taous]] had been coerced into [[poison]]ing the [[Apis]] [[Cattle|bull]] to make the [[civilian]]s believe that Ptah was against [[Cleopatra]]'s imminent visit. With this knowledge, Bayek narrowed his suspects to a priest in Pasherenptah's inner circle who wore a blue scarf and had a bad cough.<ref name="The Lizard's Mask"/> Shortly after, Cleopatra arrived in Memphis to attend the Festival of Apis and gain the support of the city's residents in the [[Alexandrine war|war]] against her brother [[Ptolemy XIII]]. Learning of The Lizard's efforts to sabotage her reputation, Cleopatra ordered Bayek to eliminate him.<ref name="The Lizard's Face>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[The Lizard's Face]]</ref>
 
[[File:ACO The Lizard's Face - Festival of Apis.png|thumb|250px|left|The Festival of Apis in 48 BCE]]
After lifting the city's "curses", Bayek met with Pasherenptah to discuss The Lizard's possible identity. When Bayek revealed the information he had gained from the twins, Pasherenptah was shocked to learn that the perpetrator was [[Hetepi]], one of his closest advisors. Making his way to the [[Temple of Ptah]], Bayek assassinated Hetepi and restored Memphis to order.<ref name="The Lizard's Face/>


In 48 BCE, the [[Medjay]], [[Bayek]] of [[Siwa]], traveled to the city in search of the '''[[Hetepi|Lizard]]''', a member of the [[Order of the Ancients]]. There, he met with [[Pasherenptah]], the High Priest of [[Ptah]], who had been struggling to deal with the 'curses' that plagued the city and his [[Taimhotep|wife]], believed to have been caused by The Lizard. After discovering the twin priestesses, [[Tawe]] and [[Taous]], had poisoned the Apis Bull thus making the population believed that the divinity was against the arrival of Cleopatra in the city, Bayek drew closer to the identity of The Lizard. Narrowing the search down to a priest in Pasherenptah's inner circle, and who wore a blue scarf and had a bad cough.<ref name="The Lizard's Mask">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[The Lizard's Mask]]</ref> [[Cleopatra]] then arrived to rally the people to her name and rightful throne, Bayek made preparations to assassinate The Lizard. With the city's 'curses' lifted, Bayek met with Pasherenptah to discuss The Lizard's possible identity. When Bayek revealed the information he gained from the twins, Pasherenptah was shocked as the priest, [[Hetepi]], was one of his closest advisors. Making his way to the [[Temple of Ptah]], Bayek assassinated Hetepi, and restored Memphis to order.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[The Lizard's Face]]</ref>
Later, Bayek helped Memphis' resident [[The Seer|Seer]] by delivering amulets to protect an adventurer, a philanderer, and a beggar. After this, the Seer organized a ritual to help Bayek overcome one of his recurring nightmares. Bayek recovered from the Nile a statue of the god [[Khnum]], who would take Bayek's place in his fight with [[Apep]]. After hours of meditation, the ritual was completed and the Seer disappeared without Bayek noticing.<ref name="The Lizard's Mask" />


Later, Bayek helped the Seer by delivering amulets to protect an adventurer, a philanderer and a beggar. After this, the Seer proceeded to a ritual to deliver Bayek from his dream. Bayek recovered in the Nile a statue of the god [[Khnum]], who must replace Bayek in his fight with Apep. After hours of meditation, the Seer disappeared without Bayek noticed.<ref name="The Lizard's Mask" />
At one point, Bayek was tasked by the baker [[Teta]] to rescue the taster [[Sasobek]]. The man revealed to Bayek that someone wanted to poison Taimhotep with their cakes. The Medjay destroyed the stock, saving the High Priest's wife.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[The Baker's Dilemma]]</ref> Bayek later helped Taimhotep in her ritual to assure that her child would be a boy. He found a talisman and escorted Taimhotep and her maid to the [[Pyramid of Djoser]] for the ritual.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Taimhotep's Song]]</ref>


Bayek was tasked by the baker [[Teta]] to rescue the taster Sasobek. The man revealed to Bayek that someone wanted to poison Taimhotep with their cakes. The Medjay destroyed the stock saving the High Priest's wife.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[The Baker's Dilemma]]</ref> Bayek later helped Taimhotep in her ritual to assure that her child will be a boy. Bayek found a talismant and escorted Taimhotep and her maid to the [[Pyramid of Djoser]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Taimhotep's Song]]</ref>
===Hidden Ones activities===
By 43 BCE, after the formation of the [[Assassins|Hidden Ones]], a [[Assassin bureau|bureau]] was established in the city. During the initiation ceremony of [[Tahira]], one of the first Hidden One recruits, Tahira pledged her allegiance to the cause and amputated her left ring finger. Tahira and Bayek then went into the night and rescued a group of enslaved children.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Birth of the Creed]]</ref>


By 43 BCE, after the formation of the [[Hidden Ones]], a [[Assassin bureau|bureau]] was established in the city. During the initiation ceremony of [[Tahira]], one of the first Hidden One recruits, Tahira pledged her allegiance to the cause and amputated her ring finger. Tahira and Bayek went into the night and rescued a group of enslaved children.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Birth of the Creed]]</ref>
Sometime after the foundation of the Hidden Ones, the organization targeted [[Habibah]], another Order of the Ancients member based in Memphis who worked as a [[doctor]]. The Hidden One [[Nashwa]] sent multiple agents to assassinate Habibah, but they all failed in their task, and the doctor eventually relocated to the [[Temple of Philae]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Escape Room Puzzle Book]]'' – Chapter 2: Training</ref>


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
{{GalleryBox|Memphis}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]''
*''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Escape Room Puzzle Book]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game]]'' {{Mo}}


==References==
==References==
{{GalleryBox|Memphis}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{ACO}}
{{ACO}}
{{DTAE}}
{{DTAE}}
[[ru:Мемфис]]
<!--
[[fr:Memphis]]
[ru:Мемфис]
[[zh:孟斐斯]]
[fr:Memphis]
[zh:孟斐斯]
-->
[[Category:Cities in Egypt]]
[[Category:Cities in Egypt]]
[[Category:Port cities]]
[[Category:Port cities]]
[[Category:Capital cities]]
[[Category:Capital cities]]

Latest revision as of 16:08, 12 May 2026

"Memphis is the site of the Old Egyptian Capital, from where pharaohs are crowned."
―Description.[src]

Memphis was the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom. For millennia afterwards, it remained one of the greatest economic centers of the country until the Ptolemaic dynasty, when it diminished in the face of Alexandria. Alongside Giza, it was located on the west bank of the river Nile and was home to many famous tombs and landmarks, including the Great Pyramids and the Great Sphinx.[1]

Description[edit | edit source]

One of the largest cities in Egypt, Memphis was located in Lower Egypt. It was a central location for religious temples, including the city's most important god, Ptah, the god of creation.[2]

The city was also referred to as "the city with the hundred doors" or "the white walls" in reference to the wall that surrounded it. Under Ptah's protection, the city was a thriving religious and economic hub.[3]

History[edit | edit source]

Egyptian capital[edit | edit source]

During the Third Dynasty, under Pharaoh Djoser, Memphis was the first religious and administrative capital of Egypt. Although the political capital decentralized, subsequent pharaohs were still crowned in the sacred city to legitimize their ascension to the throne, up to and including Alexander III of Macedon.[4]

The Lizard's curse[edit | edit source]

In 48 BCE, the Medjay Bayek of Siwa traveled to Memphis in search of the Order of the Ancients member known as "The Lizard". Once in the city, he met the High Priest of Ptah Pasherenptah, who had been struggling to deal with the "curses" that plagued the city and his wife Taimhotep, believed to have been caused by The Lizard.[5]

Eventually, Bayek and his wife Aya discovered that the twin priestesses Tawe and Taous had been coerced into poisoning the Apis bull to make the civilians believe that Ptah was against Cleopatra's imminent visit. With this knowledge, Bayek narrowed his suspects to a priest in Pasherenptah's inner circle who wore a blue scarf and had a bad cough.[5] Shortly after, Cleopatra arrived in Memphis to attend the Festival of Apis and gain the support of the city's residents in the war against her brother Ptolemy XIII. Learning of The Lizard's efforts to sabotage her reputation, Cleopatra ordered Bayek to eliminate him.[6]

The Festival of Apis in 48 BCE

After lifting the city's "curses", Bayek met with Pasherenptah to discuss The Lizard's possible identity. When Bayek revealed the information he had gained from the twins, Pasherenptah was shocked to learn that the perpetrator was Hetepi, one of his closest advisors. Making his way to the Temple of Ptah, Bayek assassinated Hetepi and restored Memphis to order.[6]

Later, Bayek helped Memphis' resident Seer by delivering amulets to protect an adventurer, a philanderer, and a beggar. After this, the Seer organized a ritual to help Bayek overcome one of his recurring nightmares. Bayek recovered from the Nile a statue of the god Khnum, who would take Bayek's place in his fight with Apep. After hours of meditation, the ritual was completed and the Seer disappeared without Bayek noticing.[5]

At one point, Bayek was tasked by the baker Teta to rescue the taster Sasobek. The man revealed to Bayek that someone wanted to poison Taimhotep with their cakes. The Medjay destroyed the stock, saving the High Priest's wife.[7] Bayek later helped Taimhotep in her ritual to assure that her child would be a boy. He found a talisman and escorted Taimhotep and her maid to the Pyramid of Djoser for the ritual.[8]

Hidden Ones activities[edit | edit source]

By 43 BCE, after the formation of the Hidden Ones, a bureau was established in the city. During the initiation ceremony of Tahira, one of the first Hidden One recruits, Tahira pledged her allegiance to the cause and amputated her left ring finger. Tahira and Bayek then went into the night and rescued a group of enslaved children.[9]

Sometime after the foundation of the Hidden Ones, the organization targeted Habibah, another Order of the Ancients member based in Memphis who worked as a doctor. The Hidden One Nashwa sent multiple agents to assassinate Habibah, but they all failed in their task, and the doctor eventually relocated to the Temple of Philae.[10]

Appearances[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]