How many nomes in ancient egypt

Many Egyptian temples included a depiction of the nomes, sometimes personified. The Capital city of a Nome was also its religious and economic centre, as most Egyptians lived in small villages which were relatively undeveloped. Click to view a map of Upper Egypt or a map of Lower Egypt. The nomes were managed by the nomarch. While the pharaoh often appointed the nomarch, the position could also be hereditary. When central authority was weak the nomarchs often expanded their own power base to take on many of the functions of the pharaoh, and it was more likely that the position would be hereditary.

At times they ruled pretty much autonomously and could afford to ignore the weak or non-existent central government. While the provinces of Upper Egypt did not change in number after the Old Kingdom , more nomes were added to Lower northern Egypt as the marshes were cultivated land and the branches of the Nile changed course.

For most of the dynastic period there were 22 nomes in Upper southern Egypt and 20 nomes in Lower northern Egypt. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. The largest centre of culture Alexandria, Mod. Under the reign of the Ptolemies, Alexandria became the largest centre of culture and science in the immediate Mediterranean area.

Cult centre of Djeka? Sobek, Isis and Prosopis? Nomes 4 and 5 of Lower Egypt are named as southern and northern parts of the Neith province, and it is thought that these two provinces were inscribed on the White Chapel as one entry, although they are seen as two different nomes by most scholars. However, the Neith nome was known in the Old Kingdom as one administrative area, with Sais being the major town.

During the Greek occupation, this nome was divided into three areas, two of which were Sais and Naukratis see also LE 7 below where it is thought that the town which became Naukratis was [at one time] included in the west Harpoon nome. The province was called Prosopites after the division of the Neith nome and was situated between the two main branches of the Nile. In the Sais, Mod. It is the Greco-Roman goddess, with her familiar animal the owl, who is depicted on the Roman nome coins.

It is thought that the town of Buto was created from the fusion of Pe and Dep, which were two separate districts in the vicinity of Per-wadjet. Xois during Dynasty 14 according 6. Sakha to Manetho. Capital of the nome The name of the nome is also that of the administrative centre, which is sometimes written as kA Dw. According to Manetho, Xois was the principal town of Dynasty The province was generally called Xoites by the Ptolemies, although it has been suggested that another name was Gynaikopolites.

Metelis, Mod. Harpoon divided west Sobek? LE or inscribed across Neith? North-west Delta along the Provinces 7 and 8 Amun? Neith, Amun and a solar disc with wings and Thoth?

Harpoon west was the western margin of the Delta. During the Hellenic period, the province was known as Metelites and included the towns of Menelaos, Phtheneos?

The town of Naukratis which became an Ionian colony of mercenaries, merchants and artisans was founded by Psammetichus I. However, Nome 8 was the eastern margin of the Delta. The eastern Delta was colonised and under administration at a later period than the rest of the region. It is not known which town was recognised as a major centre in the Old Kingdom, although in the Ramesside era it was most probably Pithom. It has been suggested that the town of Nefer-abti Heroopolis was also in this nome.

Busiris, Khenty-khety 9. Because the nome name is shown as Andjety, it is thought that this was the actual capital of the area in the proto-dynastic period, and the nome took the name of the major town.

However, the province was called Busirites Bousirites during the Hellenic era. The site Block missing or no absorbed the Herib Gr. Hut-heryib was the capital of the nome.

A temple in this province was raised by Ahmose. Athribis gained greater economic significance in the Roman era, when the province was called Athribites. The boundaries of both 10 LE and 11 LE appear to have changed in the later dynastic times, as this province was at one time also known as Leontopolites. Temple of Mihos Taremu Gr. Cult centre of Major administration centre Leontopolis, Mod.

Horus, Shu during the Ptolemaic period. The ancient name of the capital town is unknown although it has been suggested that it was Ka-heseb. The province itself is attested from Dynasty 5. During the Ptolemaic era, two towns were administration centres for the region: Leontopolis Tell el-Muqdam and Pharbaithites Horbeit see 19 LE for a possible change of boundaries of the province.

Leontopolis renamed Nathu was a centre during the time of the Assyrians. It has been suggested that Leontopolis was the site of one of the legendary battles of Horus in which he assumed the form of a human-headed lion. Called the Pharbaithites nome in the Greco- Roman era which indicates a change of boundaries see 19 LE.

Mehyt, set up by King Mehyt Netjeret? Block missing or no Mehyt Samanud Nakhthorhebyt, is now in the Sebennytus to the coast Isis of Hebyt Hebyt Gr. Iseum, Temple of Isis of Mod. Sebennytus was the major administrative centre of this nome, and was the capital of Egypt during Dynasty The province was called by two different names in the Greco-Roman era, Sebennytes and Onuphites. Atum-Ra Iunu Gr.

Ra Kingdom Senusret I It has been suggested that the main town of this area Iunu was also called Pa-ra — The City of the Sun — hence the Greek name of Heliopolis, and referred to as the Heliopolites nome. Also allegedly the place where the BenBen stone was found. The main town of this nome was mentioned in Ezekiel XXX Capital of the nome? Biblical city of Sin xnt-iAbt?

Horus of Hebenu Tell el-Farama Seth This nome constitutes the whole eastern side of the Delta region. It was attested during the reign of Sneferu although thought to be much older , then in Dynasty 5 it was referred to as the 8th Lower Egypt nome.

It was eventually divided even more, into an eastern section named Iabiti and a northern section, first named Iabti-ph, then eventually renamed as Khenti-iabiti or Khenti-abt [Gr. Also, at that time, the eastern nome belonged to the later independent nome of Bubastis which eventually became the main town of 18 LE. The Greek town of Daphnae mod. Tell Dafana , founded by Psammetichus I, was also part of this nome. It was originally a military settlement, which ultimately became a commercial centre.

Refer to the monolithic or Block missing or no Museum CG Baqliya There seems to be some confusion as to whether Mendes was perhaps in this nome at some stage. It is also thought that this nome, at one time, included the town of Khemenu Gr. Hermopolis Magna, mod. It has been suggested that one of the original names of the city of Hermopolis was Khemenu, because it referred to the eight gods or personified virtues who assisted Thoth.

The nome god was assimilated by the Greeks to Hermes, hence the Greek name of Hermopolis. Psamtek I worshipping before Neith Thmuis, Mod. In the time of the Ptolemies, the main administration area changed to that of Thmuis the southern sister-town of Mendes which then continued to be the capital of the province and an important economic centre during the time of the Roman era.

The Throne bHdt? Horus Behdet Gr. Block missing or no Temple of Amun Dated to Dynasty 26 with Diospolis Inferior, entry or Amun-Ra?

Other names proposed for the name of the main town are possibly: Sem- Behutkhet and Pa-khen-em-Amun. During the Greco-Roman era, the province was called both Diospolites and Pakhnamounis. Temple of Bastet blocks of varying dates, some Zagazig Temple of Atum Bubastis Dynasty kings.

Atum Chapel to Anubis during the Hyksos era. Bubastis was the capital of the Two Lands during the 21st and 22nd Dynasties. San Mut, and Dynasty The principal town was Imet then reverted to Tanis during Dynasties 21 and 22, due to its importance as a harbour and trade centre with Asia.. Other towns in this nome included : Hurbeit Gr. Under the Assyrians the capital of the nome was called Sacnu?

Soped, Mod. Roman nome coins show Sekhmet as a major goddess for this province. The Temple of Satet probably Abu Gr. Temple of Khnum dates to the predynastic era. Elephantine Temple of Satet Anuqet was worshipped in later times on the island and Satet 22 in the north of the province.

Isis Gr. Syene, Mod. Temple of Isis Dating to the Old Kingdom? Land of the Bow tA sety 1. Temple of Sobek at Nubyt. The temple is of Mandulis Ombos, Mod. Nome Arensnuphis Kom Ombo capital in Ptolemaic period. Temple complex Temples also to the Nubian Philae, Mod. Generally shown on a standard. It has been suggested that this province reached south into Nubia including both Gebel el-Silsila and Qustul in the proto-dynastic or early dynastic period.

The limit of Egypt itself, during Dynasty 8, was at Abu. During the time of Sensuret I the boundary was at Mirgissa. By Dynasty 17 the border stopped at Sehel. The northern borders appear at some time to have included Hierakonpolis and possibly Edfu. The borders seem to have changed quite frequently, sometimes including only the urban districts of Elephantine and Ombos as noted by Dynasty Abu was originally the capital of the nome, and a boundary fort was erected on the island.

According to Wallis Budge [, p. UE wtst-Hor? Nome sign was usually portrayed on a standard. No changes in the boundaries of the nome appear to have occurred after the Middle Kingdom. It has been suggested that Hierakonpolis was in this province at some time.

The nome was called Apollonpolites in the Greco-Roman era. Dated to the Predynastic Nekhen Gr. Temple of Horus period. First capital of the Hierakonpolis, Temple of nome. Nekhbet temple Mod. Close Menu Register. Teaching Resources. Bespoke Services. Want a discount?

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