Significance of Thebe
Thebe, or Thebes, was a glorious and historically significant city in ancient Egypt. It was a center of power during the Middle Kingdom and the imperial capital during the Empire, from which pharaohs launched military campaigns. Thebes housed important temples like Karnak and Amon, and served as a final resting place for royalty, although tombs were often plundered. Despite its decline and the shift of power to the Delta, Thebes remained a popular destination for tourists throughout history, drawn to its magnificent temple remains and rich historical legacy.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Classical concept of 'Thebe'
From: Egypt Through The Stereoscope
(1) It is a famous city known for its magnificent temple remains, offering a dedicated tour of its key sites, and also included as a point within a larger regional tour.[1] (2) It is one of the great religious centers of Egypt. The gods of it are sacred in this temple in Nubia.[2] (3) A city located forty-four miles to the right of the observer, which is a significant distance from the current location.[3] (4) Thebes is described as entering a decline, with the seat of power shifting to the north in the Delta, where the Libyans gradually gain the upper hand.[4] (5) The custom of using this valley began when the kings of the Empire took up their residence at Thebes, marking the city's imperial career.[5]
From: The Book of the Dead
(1) Thebes is a location where Ani is a teller of the divine offerings of all the gods, suggesting it is a center of religious activity.[6] (2) It is a location associated with lords, whose divine offerings are connected to Osiris Ani, the scribe.[7] (3) Thebes is the location where the papyrus of Ani was discovered, highlighting its historical significance within the region.[8] (4) The founding of the first shrine of the god Amen recorded in history took place at Thebes during the XIIth dynasty.[9] (5) A location where a change occurred as early as the XIIth dynasty, altering the performance of ceremonies for the deceased.[10]
From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians
(1) Thebes is a location near where the Sun-god enters the Tuat, according to the Book Am Tuat, beginning his journey through the underworlds.[11] (2) This city, along with Anu and Hetkaptah, is established upon the earth forever and is where matters are answered.[12] (3) Thou Mighty Bull, crowned in Thebes, begotten by me.[13] (4) In the fifteenth year of his reign, his Majesty was in Thebes celebrating a festival in honour of Father Amen, the King of the gods, in the temple now known as the Temple of Luxor.[14] (5) Thebes is mentioned as the location of the great temple of Amen-Ra, where a liturgy was recited to prevent Aapep from obstructing the sunrise.[15]
From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1
(1) The fact that the triad of Ptah, Sekhet, and Nefer-Tem was worshipped at Thebes is another proof of the influence which the priests of Heliopolis exerted over the religious views of the Thebans.[16] (2) A city near where the first great defeat of the enemy took place, indicating its significance in the battles and conquests associated with Horus.[17] (3) A location where a goddess is represented as a woman wearing a pair of horns with the solar disk and considered the mistress of Ȧmentet.[18] (4) Thebes is the location where the text of the myth describing the destruction of mankind is found inscribed upon the walls of the tombs of Seti I and Rameses IV.[19] (5) Describes how the prince of Thebes was greater than any and every prince in the other administrative divisions of Egypt, so the Theban administrative division-god was greater than any and every other deity of Egypt.[20]
From: Legends Of The Gods
(1) At Thebes, statues of judges are represented without hands, with the chief judge depicted with eyes turned downwards, signifying impartiality.[21] (2) A location described as the Mighty city and Mistress of cities, where His Majesty performs praises and where Khensu is located, and where they arrived in peace.[22] (3) A location to which the enemies of Ra fled, and Horus pursued them, indicating the extent of the conflict and pursuit.[23] (4) It is the location on the west bank of the Nile where Mr. A. H. Rhind was excavating some tombs when he acquired the papyrus in 1861 or 1862.[24]
From: Development of Religion and Thought in Ancient Egypt
(1) Thebes was a location where the surviving influence of the Aton faith and the doctrines of social justice of the Feudal Age culminated in a profound expression of devotional religious spirit.[25] (2) Finding Thebes embarrassed with too many theological traditions, in spite of its prestige and its splendor, Ikhnaton forsook it and built a new capital about midway between Thebes and the sea.[26] (3) Thebes is mentioned as the location of the tomb of Neferhotep, the divine father, priest of Amon, from which a fragmentary song containing valuable lines is found.[27]
From: The Egyptian Heaven and Hell
(1) It is a location from which a deity has travelled due north. The deity has occupied six hours in performing the journey from this location.[28] (2) A location where the oldest copies of a particular book are found in the tombs of Thothmes III., Amen-hetep II., and Amen-hetep III.[29] (3) Thebes is where the priests of the confraternity of Amen-Ra drew up the "Book Am-Tuat" with the express object of demonstrating that their god was the overlord of all the gods.[30]
From: Popular Literature in Ancient Egypt
(1) Thebes is the location where a wooden chest was discovered, containing literary papyri including the story of Prince Setna.[31]
From: The Book of Gates
(1) A location on the western bank of the Nile where the Valley of the Tombs of the Kings, also known as Biban-al-Muluk, is located, and where Belzoni began excavating in October 1815.[32]
From: The History of Herodotus
(1) Thebes is the city that was besieged by the Hellenes because its leaders had sided with the Medes.[33] (2) The city of Thebes is mentioned as a place to which some of the defeated fled, and also as the location of the palisade made by the Persians, thus Thebes served as both a refuge and a strategic point.[34] (3) Was the intended destination for Mardonios' retreat, as it was a friendly city and a country where horsemen could operate freely.[35] (4) A location where Mys consulted the Ismenian Apollo and, through payment, had a stranger sleep in the temple of Amphiaraos.[36] (5) A location whose people informed Xerxes that Thespiai and Plataia were not siding with the Medes.[37]
From: The Odyssey of Homer (English translation)
(1) This is a city founded by Amphion and Zethus, sons of Antiope and Jove, which required a wall to be built around it for protection.[38] (2) Thebes is the Egyptian city where Polybus lived, and Thebes is described as the richest city in the whole world.[39]
From: The Liturgy of Funerary Offerings
(1) Drawings of scenes in the tomb of Seti I. at "Thebes" depict priests performing ceremonies on the statue of the king, with short texts resembling passages in the Liturgy of Funerary Offerings.[40]
From: The Iliad of Homer (English translation)
(1) Thebes is the strong city that Tydeus and Polynices were levying war against, and they prayed the people of Mycenae for a body of picked men to help them.[41]