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Why did Memphis become a cosmopolitan city during the New Kingdom?

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Memphis, Egypt: colossal statue of Ramses II — 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 became an increasingly cosmopolitan city as a direct result of the expansion of trade, foreign conquest, and travel across the nation.1

As a significant commercial center connected to the Nile by a canal, the city attracted diverse groups of people, including merchants, prisoners of war, and enslaved individuals. This influx of foreign populations led to the establishment of specific city quarters named after these groups, such as the "Field of the Hittites," which reflected the presence of foreign colonies residing within the city.1

This cosmopolitan character was further reinforced by the broader cultural shifts occurring throughout Egypt during the New Kingdom, where the breakdown of isolationism fostered an environment of increased international interaction and the integration of foreign influences into Egyptian society.12