Memphis

   Greek name for the capital of the first nome of Lower Egypt located at modern Mit Rahina. The city is said to have been founded by Menes. It then served as the capital of a united Egypt and was first called Inebu-hedj, meaning “White Wall.” It was later known by the name Men-nefer, derived from thepyramidof Pepy I, from which the Greek form of its name developed. Memphis remained the first or second capital of Egypt throughout most of dynastic history. Its principal monument was the templeto its local god, Ptah, which is now in ruins but was largely rebuilt by Ramesses II. The remains of smaller temples and palaces, mainly from the Ramesside Period, have also been uncovered. The site has not been systematically excavated and so is less well known than the southern capital at Thebes. Investigations were carried out by Jospeh Hekekyan in 1852. Excavations were carried out by AugusteMariette; Flinders Petriefrom 1909–1913; the University of Pennsylvania from 1915–1919, 1921–1923, and 1955–1956; Egyptian archaeologists notably in 1931 and 1942 when tombsof the Ramesside Period and Dynasty 22 were uncovered; and the Egypt Exploration Society since 1981. The kings and courtiers who resided here were buried at the nearby desert sites of Abusir, Dahshur, Giza, Meidum, and Saqqara.

Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier