Thebes

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Thebes. (Authorized Version No, the multitude of No. Populous No). A chief city of ancient Egypt, long the capital of the upper country, and the seat of the Diospolitan dynasties, that ruled over all Egypt, at the era of its highest splendor. It was situated, on both sides of the Nile, 400 or 500 miles from its mouth. The sacred name of Thebes was P-amen, "the abode of Amon", which the Greeks reproduced in their Diospolis, especially with the addition, the Great. No-amon is the name of Thebes, in the Hebrew Scriptures. Jeremiah 46:25; Nahum 3:8. Ezekiel uses No, simply to designate the Egyptian, seat of Amon. Ezekiel 30:14; Ezekiel 30:16, See No-Amon.

Its origin and early Allusions To It. - The origin of the city is lost in antiquity. Niebuhr is of opinion that Thebes was much older than Memphis, and that, "after the centre of Egyptian life was transferred to lower Egypt, Memphis acquired its greatness, through the ruin of Thebes." But both cities date from our earliest authentic knowledge of Egyptian history. The first allusion to Thebes, in classical literature, is the familiar passage of the Iliad, (ix. 381-385): "Egyptian Thebes, where are vast treasures laid up in the houses; where are a hundred gates, and from each two hundred men to forth with horses and chariots."

In the first century before Christ, Diodorus visited Thebes, and he devotes several sections of his general work, to its history and appearance. Though he saw the city, when it had sunk to quite secondary importance, he confirms the tradition of its early grandeur - its circuit of 140 stadia, the size of its public edifices, the magnificence of its temples, the number of its monuments, the dimensions of its private houses, some of them four or five stories high - all giving it an air of grandeur, and beauty, surpassing not only all other cities of Egypt, but of the world.

Monuments. - The monuments of Thebes are the most reliable witnesses, for the ancient splendor of the city. These are found in almost equal proportions, upon both sides of the river. The plan of the city, as indicated by the principal monuments, was nearly quadrangular, measuring two miles from north to south, and four miles from east to west. Its four great landmarks were, Karnak and Luxor, upon the eastern or Arabian side, and Qoornah and Medeenet Haboo, upon the western or Libyan side. There are indications that each of these temples may have been connected, with those facing it, upon two sides by grand dromoi, lined with sphinxes and other colossal figures.

Upon the western bank, there was almost a continuous line of temples, and public edifices, for a distance of two miles, from Qoonah to Medeenet Haboo; and Wilkinson conjectures that, from a point near the latter, perhaps, in the line of the colossi, the "Royal street" ran down to the river, which was crossed by a ferry terminating at Luxor, on the eastern side. Behind this long range of temples, and palaces, are the Libyan hills, which for a distance of five miles are excavated, to the depth of several hundred feet, for sepulchral chambers. Some of these, in the number and variety of their chambers, the finish of their sculptures, and the beauty and freshness of their frescoes, are among the most remarkable monuments of Egyptian grandeur and skill.

The eastern side of the river is distinguished, by the remains of Lurer and Karnak, the latter, being of itself , a city of temples. The approach to Karnak, from the south, is marked by a series of majestic gateways and towers, which were the appendages, of later times, to the original structure. The temple properly faces the river, that is, toward the northwest.

The courts land properly connected, with this structure, occupy a space nearly 1800 feet square, and the buildings represent, almost very dynasty of Egypt. Ezekiel proclaims the destruction of Thebes, by the arm of Babylon, Ezekiel 30:14-16, and Jeremiah predicted the same overthrow, Jeremiah 46:25-26. The city lies today , a nest of Arab hovels, amid crumbling columns and drifting sands. The Persian invader, (Cambyses, B.C. 525), completed the destruction that the Babylonian had begun.

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

The city of Thebes was situated on the Nile River, over five hundred kilometres from its mouth. It was the most important city in Upper Egypt, and from 1570 to 1085 BC, the period of Egypt’s greatest power and splendour, it was the country’s capital. Its Hebrew name was No, and its god was Amon (Jeremiah 46:25; Nahum 3:8). The wealth that poured into Thebes during those five hundred years helped to make the city the most magnificent in all Egypt.

One reason for Thebes’ lengthy supremacy was the strong defence that the Nile River provided against enemy invasion. But these defences were not able to withstand the Assyrians, who in 663 BC plundered and destroyed the city (Ezekiel 30:14-16; Nahum 3:8-10). (For map and other details see EGYPT.)

Holman Bible Dictionary

Egypt

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

THEBES . See No.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

See AMMON, or No-Ammon, or No.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

See No.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

(See NO.)

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Thebes is a name borne by two of the most celebrated cities in the ancient world, Thebes in Bœotia, and Thebes in Egypt. Of the latter it is that we have here to speak in brief, referring those who wish for detailed information to the works of Wilkinson, especially his Modern Egypt and Thebes.

The name Thebes is corrupted from the Tápé of the ancient Egyptian language, the meaning of which appears to be 'the head,' Thebes being the capital of the Thebais in Upper Egypt. It is termed in Scripture No and No-Ammon (;; ). Thebes was situate 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 handsome dwellings for man, but by temples and palaces, of whose grandeur words can give but a faint conception. Of these edifices there are still in existence ruins that astound and delight the traveler. The most ancient remains now existing are in the immense temple, or rather cluster of temples, 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 Memnonium; 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 impossible,' 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 desolation. Here lay once that mighty city whose power and splendor were proverbial throughout the ancient world.' Yet, like all earthly things, Thebes had her period of death. She sprang up, flourished, declined, and sank. Memphis rose to be her rival when Thebes began to part with her glory. She was plundered by Cambyses, 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. 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 (, sq.), it would seem that in his day (according to Josephus, cir. 750 B.C.) the city had suffered a terrible overthrow—how long previously is not recorded, for we do not know what conquest 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 history.

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

An ancient city of Egypt of great renown, once capital of Upper Egypt; covered 10 sq. m. of the valley of the Nile on both sides of the river, 300 m. SE. of Cairo; now represented by imposing ruins of temples, palaces, tombs, and statues of colossal size, amid which the humble dwellings of four villages—Luxor, Karnack, Medinet Habu, and Kurna—have been raised. The period of its greatest flourishing extended from about 1600 to 1100 B.C., but some of its ruins have been dated as far back as 2500 B.C.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Thebes'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/t/thebes.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.