The city of Memphis was the center of the civilization that we now call Ancient Egypt and is home to the Pyramids of Giza, perhaps the most famous symbols of Ancient Egypt. It is located at the mouth of the Nile delta, the area in which the great Nile river opens into the Mediterranean Sea. This is an important location because its proximity to the Mediterranean made it an important trading port and the fertile land around the delta made it perfect for agriculture.

Giza

During the Old Kingdom period, Memphis was both the economic and political center of Egypt, home to the pharaohs, the monarchical rulers of Egypt, and their court. After the pharaohs moved south to Thebes in the Middle Kingdom, Memphis remained Egypt's main trading port.

Thebes essentially became Egypt's capital city beginning with the Middle Kingdom. It is located farther south down the Nile from Memphis. It also became Egypt's main religious center and is home to temples and other sacred sites that were important parts of Egypt's religious practices, including the famous Luxor complex and the temple at Karnak. It would serve as Egypt's political capital on and off throughout the Middle and New Kingdoms.