Thebes, Egypt
Posted On December 1, 2009
The Greek name for the ancient city of Egypt is Thebes. Thebes is located in the southern direction of the Mediterranean Sea at a distance of about 800 km. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Nile River. The human habitation had started making the city their home place since 3200 BC. Thebes was the capital city of the Waset, who was the IV Upper Egyptian nome. Waset was declared as the capital of Egypt during the 11th and the 18th dynasties which were commonly known as the middle and the new kingdom respectively. Trade was increased when a red sea fleet was built by Hatsheput. The Thebes seaport covered the trade between the other ports of Elat, moder Quasir as well as Elim. The traders with them 
brought copper amulets, frankincense, juniper oil, natron, fine woven linen, bitumen and myrrh
The government seats were moved to the Delta during the 19th dynasty. Outstanding evidence to Egyptian civilization can be seen through the archeological remains of the city. Homer a very famous Greek poet adorned the prosperity of Thebes in the Iliad, Book 9. In his book she said that “in Egyptian Thebes the heaps of precious ingots gleam, the hundred-gated Thebes.”
The name Thebai is a Greek word for city. During the end of the New Kingdom Thebes became popular in the Egyptian language. Thebes was also known as “the city of Amun”. The tombs and the mortuary tombs which lied on the western bank of the Nile River were supposed to be the part of Thebes during the modern times. The two important temples and the two towns which are located in the outskirts of the Thebes city are popularly known as al-Karnak and Luxor.
The various mortuary temples located in and around are Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, Mortuary Temple of 
Mentuhotep II, Mortuary Temple of Thutmose III, Medinet Habu, Mortuary Temple of Ay & Horemheb, Colossi of Memnon, Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, Mortuary Temple of Ramesses IV, Mortuary Temple of Merneptah, Mortuary Temple & Palace of Ramesses III, Mortuary Temple of Thutmose III, Mortuary Temple of Twosret, Mortuary Temple of Thutmose IV, Ramesseum which is the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses II, Mortuary Temple of Seti I, Temple of Nebwenenef, Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep II, Qurna.
Athens International Airport “El. Venizelos” SA is the airport which is located very close to Thebes. From here you can take a bus or train to reach Thebes. On an average you will require 60 minutes to reach Thebes from Athens. The best time to visit the place is from December to February. Good accommodation in economic as well as the top-class hotels is easily available. Guided tours are available. You can ask the hotels to arrange it for you. The guides do speak fluent English as well as the local languages.
