Heracleion
Sign in to saveHeracleion (Ancient Greek: ), also known as Thonis (Ancient Greek: ; from the Ancient Egyptian: ; ) and sometimes called Thonis-Heracleion, was an ancient Egyptian port city located near the Canopic Mouth of the Nile, about northeast of Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea. It became inundated; its remains are located in Abu Qir Bay, which in 2022 was off the coast and approximately underwater, and near Abukir. The sanctuary of Neith of Sais was located in Thonis. A stele found on the site indicates that late in its history the city was known by both its Egyptian and Greek names.
Key facts
- Ancient site.name
- Heracleion
- Ancient site.image
- File:Canopus menouthis herakleion.jpg
- Ancient site.caption
- Map of Nile Delta showing ancient Canopus, Heracleion, and Menouthis
- Ancient site.map_type
- Egypt
- Ancient site.location
- near Alexandria, Egypt
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
9 sectionsContents
- History
- Submersion and disappearance
- Greek references and legends
- Egyptian references
- Discovery and excavation process
- Archaeological finds
- See also
- References
- External links
Heracleion (Ancient Greek: ), also known as Thonis (Ancient Greek: ; from the Ancient Egyptian: ; ) and sometimes called Thonis-Heracleion, was an ancient Egyptian port city located near the Canopic Mouth of the Nile, about northeast of Alexandria on the Mediterranean Sea. It became inundated; its remains are located in Abu Qir Bay, which in 2022 was off the coast and approximately underwater, and near Abukir. The sanctuary of Neith of Sais was located in Thonis. A stele found on the site indicates that late in its history the city was known by both its Egyptian and Greek names.
The legendary beginnings of Thonis go back to as early as the 12th century BC, and it is mentioned by ancient Greek historians. Its importance grew particularly during the waning days of the pharaohs.