THEBES (thebz), is a name borne by two of the most celebrated cities in the ancient world, Thebes in I3ceotia, and Thebes in Egypt.
Of the latter it is that we have here to speak in brief, referring those who wish for detailed in formation to the works of Wilkinson, especially his Modern Egypt and Thebes; also the works of Dr. W. M. Flinders Petrie.
The name Thebes is corrupted from the Tape of the ancient Egyptian language, the meaning of which appears to be 'the head,' Thebes being the capital of the Thebais in Upper Egypt.
(1) Scriptural References and Location. Termed in Scripture No and No-Ammon (Jer. xlvi :25 ; Ezek. xxx :14; Nah. iii :8). Thebes was situated on both sides of the river Nile, and had canals cutting the land in all directions. It was probably the most ancient city of Egypt, and the residence in very early ages of Egyptian kings who ruled the land during several dynasties. The plain was adorned not only by large and hand some dwellings for man, but by temples and pal aces, of whose grandeur words can give but a faint conception.
(2) Ruins. Of these edifices there are still in existence ruins that astound and delight the trav eler. The most ancient remains now existing are in the immense temple, or rather cluster of tem ples, of Karnak, the largest and most splendid ruin of which either ancient or modern times can boast, being the work of a number of successive monarchs, each anxious to surpass his predecessor by increasing the dimensions of the part he added. Osirtasen I, the contemporary of Joseph, is the earliest monarch whose name appears on the monuments of Thebes. On the western shore the chief points of interest are the palace and temple of Rameses II, erroneously called the Memnon ium ; the temples of Medinet Habu, the statue of Memnon, and the tombs of the kings. On the
eastern shore are the temple of Luksor, and the temple of Karnak, already mentioned. 'It is im possible,' says Robinson (Bib. Researches, i. 29), 'to wander among these scenes and behold these hoary yet magnificent ruins without emotions of astonishment and deep solemnity. Everything around testifies of vastness and of utter desola tion. Here lay once that mighty city whose power and splendor were proverbial throughout the an cient world.' Yet, like all earthly things, Thebes had her period of death. She sprang up, flour ished, declined and sank. Memphis rose to be her rival when Thebes began to part with her glory. She was plundered by Carnbyses. and destroyed by Ptolemy Lathyrus. In Strabo's time the city was already fallen ; yet its remains then covered eighty stadia, and• the inhabited part was divided into many separate villages, as the ruins now are portioned out between nine hamlets.
(3) Period of its Glory. The period in which Thebes enjoyed the highest prosperity Robinson considers to have been coeval with the reigns of David and Solomon. This, however, appears too late a date. From the passage in Nahum 8, sq.), it would seem that in his day (according to Josephus, about 75o IL C.), the city had silt fercd a terrible overthrow—how lung previously is not recorded, for we do not know what con quest or what conqueror was here intended by the prophet. The walls of all the temples at Thebes are covered with sculptures and hieroglyphics representing in general the deeds of the kings who founded or enlarged these structures. Many of these afford happy illustrations of Egyptian his tory. J. R. B.