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During which period was Memphis the capital of ancient Egypt?
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Memphis
Colossal statue of Ramses II, carved from limestone, that once adorned the great temple of Ptah in Memphis, Egypt.
Memphis served as the capital of ancient Egypt primarily during the Old Kingdom period.1
While its status as the official capital fluctuated throughout Egyptian history, the city maintained significant political and administrative importance in later eras. Some scholars suggest that Memphis may have functioned as the actual political capital during the New Kingdom, even while Thebes served as the religious center, and it likely acted as a secondary or northern capital during that time. Additionally, there are indications that the Kushite king Shabaka established his capital at Memphis in the 8th century BCE, and historical records refer to the city as a royal residence for other rulers, including the Taharqa of the 25th dynasty.2