| Location |
30.34 N - 31.30 E
Lower Egypt - southwest of Tanis
Pelusiac branch of the Delta |
| Nome | Am-Khent - the 18th nome of Lower Egypt |
| Type of Settlement | Religious center |
| Local deity | Bastet
The festival of Bubastis honouring the local goddess was the most gorgeous in the Egyptian calendar as described by Herodotus |
| Necropolis |
There are many cemetery sites north of Bubastis, important Noble burials dating to the New kingdom include the tomb of Iuti, a dynasty 19th vizier and
the tomb of Viceroy Hori, dating from the 20th dynasty.
Extensive animal cemeteries began to appear during Third Intermediate Period, particularly for the burial of millions of mummified cats which were associated with the local cult.
These cat cemeteries consists of a series of vaulted mudbrick tombs about 200m north of the temple ruins. |
| Ancient name | Per-Bastet - "The domain of Bastet" |
| Arabic name | Tell Basta |
| Historical Development |
Old kingdom - the earliest remains of blocks bearing the names of 4th Dynasty Cheops and Chephren, who built cult temples in this location
Third Intermediate Period - It became a royal residence after Shoshenq I, the first ruler of the 22nd dynasty, became Pharaoh
During the 23rd dynasty the city reached its' peek, and was one of the most important places in the Delta
Late Period - the city was destroyed during the Persian conquest of Cambyses II in 525 BC (27th dynasty).
Ptolemaic Period - the identification of Bastet with Artemis (the Greek goodess) attracted to her shrine both native Egyptians and Greeks, and the city regained religious importance
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| Monuments |
The ruins of the red granite Temple of Bastet, the site is so ruined that it was impossible to reconstruct any more then the basic layout,
an entrance hall and a festival hall were constucted by Osorkon II of the 22nd Dynasty, while a sanctuary was built by Nectanebo II of the 30th Dynasty.
ka-temples of the 5th Dynasty Pharaohs Teti I and Pepi I - lies to the west of the main Temple, but all that remains are two rows of pillars.
Two jubilee chapels built by Amenemhet III and Amenhotep III
To the north of the main Temple stood a smaller rectangular sanctuary of the lion god Mihos, the son of Bastet
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Page last updated: 15 Feb 2008
© 2001 - 2008 Aldokkan
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