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How was Memphis connected to royal hunting expeditions near Giza?
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Memphis
Colossal statue of Ramses II, carved from limestone, that once adorned the great temple of Ptah in Memphis, Egypt.
During the New Kingdom, Memphis likely served as the northern capital of Egypt and functioned as a primary residence for the crown prince. This status linked the city closely to royal activities in the surrounding desert, specifically near Giza.
Several 18th-dynasty inscriptions document royal hunting parties taking place in the desert near the Sphinx. The connection between the city and these expeditions is further evidenced by the pharaohs Amenhotep II—who was born in Memphis and served as its high priest—and his son, Thutmose IV. Both monarchs left inscriptions at Giza, highlighting the ongoing royal engagement with the area during this period.1