Memphis
- "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 her conflict against her brother Ptolemy XIII. Learning about The Lizard's efforts to sabotage her reputation, Cleopatra ordered Bayek to eliminate him.[6]
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 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]
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (first appearance)
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt
- Assassin's Creed: Escape Room Puzzle Book (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑
Assassin's Creed Origins World Map on Ubisoft's official website (backup link)
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – Tours: The City of Memphis: "Memphis, Thebes & Sais"
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – Tours: The City of Memphis: "The White Walls"
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt – Tours: The City of Memphis: "The First Capital"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Assassin's Creed: Origins – The Lizard's Mask
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Assassin's Creed: Origins – The Lizard's Face
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – The Baker's Dilemma
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Taimhotep's Song
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Birth of the Creed
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Escape Room Puzzle Book – Chapter 2: Training
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