{{short description|Northernmost region of Egypt}} [[File:Lower Egypt Nomes 01.png|thumb|Map of Lower Egypt]] {{History of Egypt}} {{Ancient Egypt dynasties sidebar}} {{Location map+|Northern Egypt|caption=Map of Lower Egypt showing important sites that were occupied during the [[Protodynastic Period of Egypt]] (clickable map)| places={{Location map~|Northern Egypt|lat=29.844722|long=31.250833|position=left |label_size=75 |label=[[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]]}} }} '''Lower Egypt''' ({{langx|ar|مصر السفلى}} ''{{transliteration|ar|Miṣr as-Suflā}}'') is the northernmost [[region]] of [[Egypt]], which consists of the fertile [[Nile Delta]] between [[Upper Egypt]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. The [[Nile River]] split into seven branches of the delta in Lower Egypt. Lower Egypt was divided into [[Nome (Egypt)|nome]]s and began to advance as a civilization after 3600 BC.<ref name=Roebuck>{{cite book |last=Roebuck |first=Carl |url=https://archive.org/details/worldofancientti00carl/page/50/mode/2up |title=The World of Ancient Times |publisher=[[Charles Scribner's Sons]] |year=1966 |location=New York |pages=51–53}}</ref> Today, it contains two major channels that flow through the delta of the Nile River – [[Mahmoudiyah Canal]] (ancient Agathos Daimon) and Muways Canal ({{Langx|ar|بحر موَيس}}, "waterway of Moses").
== Name == In [[Egyptian language|Ancient Egyptian]], Lower Egypt was known as ''mḥw'' which means "north".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trismegistos.org/place/2712|title=TM Places|website=www.trismegistos.org|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref> Later on, during [[Classical antiquity|Antiquity]] and the [[Middle Ages]], [[Greeks in Egypt|Greeks]] and [[Roman Empire|Romans]] called it ''Κάτω Αἴγυπτος'' or ''Aegyptus Inferior'' both meaning "Lower Egypt", but [[Copts]] carried on using the old name related to the north – ''Tsakhet'' ({{Langx|cop|ⲧⲥⲁϧⲏⲧ}}) or ''Psanemhit'' ({{Langx|cop|ⲡⲥⲁⲛⲉⲙϩⲓⲧ}}) meaning the "Northern part". It was further divided into a number of regions or [[Nome (Egypt)|nomes]] ({{Langx|cop|ⲡⲧⲟϣ|translit=ptosh}}) – ''Niphaiat'' ({{Langx|cop|ⲛⲓⲫⲁⲓⲁⲧ|lit=Libyan (nome)}}, {{Langx|grc|Μαρεωτης}}) in the west, ''Tiarabia'' ({{Langx|cop|ϯⲁⲣⲁⲃⲓⲁ|lit=Arabia}}) in the east, ''Nimeshshoti'' ({{Langx|cop|ⲛⲓⲙⲉϣϣⲟϯ|lit=fields}}) in the north-east and ''[[Bashmur]]'' (Bashmuric {{Langx|cop|ⲡⲥⲁⲙⲏⲣ|lit=sand shore}}) in the north. [[Jean-François Champollion|Champollion]] adds another region in the middle of the Delta which he calls ''Petmour'' ({{Langx|cop|ⲡⲉⲧⲙⲟⲩⲣ|lit=the one which bounds, girds}})<ref>{{Cite book |last=Champollion |first=Jean-François |title=L'Égypte sous les pharaons, ou recherches sur la géographie, la religion, la langue, les écritures et l'histoire de l'Égypte avant l'invasion de Cambyse |publisher=Bure |year=1814 |location=Paris |pages=5}}</ref> based on {{Langx|grc|Πτιμυρις}} mentioned by [[Stephanus of Byzantium]], but it is unclear if this is a separate region or just a Greek rendering of the name Bashmur.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schwartze, Moritz Gotthilf: Das alte Aegypten oder Sprache, Geschichte, Religion und Verfassung des alten Aegyptens: nach den altägyptischen Original-Schriften und den Mittheilungen der nichtägyptischen alten Schriftsteller (Band 2) (Leipzig, 1843) |url=https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/schwartze1843bd2/0113/image,info |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de}}</ref>
After the [[Muslim conquest of Egypt|Muslim conquest]], the middle part of the Delta was called al-Rif ({{Langx|ar|الريف}}) which means "countryside, rural area" and which is derived from [[Egyptian language|Ancient Egyptian]] <hiero> r:Z1-pr*Z1:niwt </hiero>''r-pr'', "temple", because the rural areas were administered by them.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ريف - Wiktionary|url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81|access-date=2021-05-28|website=en.wiktionary.org|language=en}}</ref> The eastern part roughly comprising the ancient Tiarabia was called al-Hawf ({{Langx|ar|الهوف}}) meaning "edge, fringe".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Adel|first=Arsanious|title=Administrative Organization Of Egypt - Coptic Wiki|date=23 December 2019 |url=https://coptic-wiki.org/administrative-organization-of-egypt|access-date=2021-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Geography==
Today, there are two principal channels that the [[Nile]] takes through the [[river]] delta: one in the west at [[Rosetta|Rashid]] and one in the east at [[Damietta]].
The delta region is well watered, crisscrossed by [[Channel (geography)|channels]] and [[canal]]s.
Owing primarily to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the climate in Lower Egypt is milder than that of [[Upper Egypt]], the southern portion of the country. Temperatures are less extreme and rainfall is more abundant in Lower Egypt.
==History==
{{Infobox country | conventional_long_name = Lower Egypt | common_name = Lower Egypt| | era = | government_type = [[Monarchy]] | year_start = | year_end = | event_pre = | date_pre = | event_start = | date_start = | event_end = | date_end = | image_flag = | image_coat = File:Red crown.svg | symbol_type = [[Deshret]] | image_map = | image_map_caption = | p1 = Prehistoric Egypt | p2 = | flag_p1 = | flag_p2 = | s1 = Early Dynastic Period (Egypt) | flag_s1 = | capital = [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]] | national_motto = | national_anthem = | common_languages = [[Egyptian language|Ancient Egyptian]] | religion = [[Ancient Egyptian religion]] | currency = | leader1 = Unknown (first) | year_leader1 = Unknown | leader2 = possibly [[Wash (pharaoh)|Wash]] (last) | year_leader2 = c. 3150 BC | title_leader = [[King]] | today = [[Egypt]] }}
It was divided into twenty districts called [[Nome (Egypt)|nome]]s, the first of which was at [[el-Lisht]]. Because Lower Egypt was mostly undeveloped [[scrubland]], filled with all types of plant life such as grasses and [[herbs]], the organization of the ''nomes'' underwent several changes.
The capital of Lower Egypt was [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]]. Its patron goddess was the goddess [[Wadjet]], depicted as a cobra. Lower Egypt was represented by the Red Crown ''[[Deshret]]'', and its symbols were the papyrus and the bee. After unification, the patron deities of both Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt were represented together as the ''[[Two Ladies]]'', Wadjet and [[Nekhbet]] (depicted as a vulture), to protect all of the ancient Egyptians.
By approximately 3600 BC, Neolithic Egyptian societies along the [[Nile River]] had based their culture on the raising of crops and the domestication of animals.<ref name=Roebuck/> Shortly after 3600 BC, Egyptian society began to grow and advance rapidly toward refined civilization.<ref name=Roebuck/> A new and distinctive pottery, which was related to the [[Syro-Palestinian archaeology#Ceramics analysis|pottery in the Southern Levant]], appeared during this time and copper became more extensively used.<ref name=Roebuck/> The [[Mesopotamia]]n process of [[mudbrick|sun-dried bricks]], and architectural building principles—including the use of the arch and recessed walls for decorative effect—became popular during this time.<ref name=Roebuck/>
Concurrent with these cultural advances, a process of unification of the societies and towns of the upper Nile River, or [[Upper Egypt]], occurred. At the same time, the societies of the [[Nile Delta]], or Lower Egypt also underwent a unification process. Warfare between Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt occurred often.<ref name=Roebuck/> During his reign in Upper Egypt, King [[Narmer]] defeated his enemies in the Delta and merged the kingdoms of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt under his single rule.<ref name=Roebuck/>
==List of kings of the Predynastic Period of Lower Egypt==
The [[Palermo stone]], a royal annal written in the mid Fifth Dynasty (c. 2490 BC – c. 2350 BC) records a number of kings reigning over Lower Egypt before [[Narmer]]. These are completely unattested outside these inscriptions: {| class="wikitable" |- ! Name |- | [[Hsekiu]]<ref name="breasted36"/> |- | [[Khayu]]<ref name="breasted36"/> |- | [[Tiu (pharaoh)|Tiu]]<ref name="breasted36">Breasted (1909) p.36</ref> |- | [[Thesh]]<ref name="breasted36"/> |- | [[Neheb]]<ref name="breasted36"/> |- | [[Wazner]]<ref name="breasted36"/> |- | [[Mekh]]<ref name="breasted36"/> |- | (destroyed)<ref name="breasted36"/> |- |}
In contrast, the following kings are attested through archeological finds from Sinai and Lower Egypt: [[Double Falcon]], [[Crocodile (pharaoh)|Crocodile]].
On the [[Narmer Palette]] commemorating the defeat of Lower Egypt and the unification of the two kingdoms, the male figure depicted being bluedgeoned by Narmer is given the name "[[Wash (pharaoh)|Wash]]". As it is uncertain whether the figure represents an actual person or is simply an allegorical representation, archaeological evidence for supporting "Wash" as the final king of Lower Egypt is tenuous.
==List of nomes== {| class="wikitable" ! Number !! Egyptian Name !! Capital !! Modern name of capital site !! English Translation !! God |- | 1 || [[Inebu-hedj]] || Ineb Hedj / Men-nefer / Menfe ([[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]]) || Mit Rahina || White Walls || [[Ptah]] |- | 2 || [[Khensu (nome)|Khensu]] || Khem ([[Letopolis]]) || Ausim || Cow's thigh || [[Horus]] |- | 3 || [[Ament (nome)|Imnt]] || Imu (Apis) || [[Yamu|Kom el-Hisn]] || West || [[Hathor]] |- | 4 || [[Sapi-Res|Zapi-Res]] || Ptkheka || [[Tanta]] || Southern shield || [[Sobek]], [[Isis]], [[Amun]] |- | 5 || [[Sap-Meh|Zapi-Meh]] || Zau ([[Sais, Egypt|Sais]]) || Sa el-Hagar || Northern shield || [[Neith]] |- | 6 || [[Khaset (nome)|Khaset]] || Khasu ([[Xois]]) || Sakha || Mountain bull || Amun-Ra |- | 7 || [[A-ment]] || (Hermopolis Parva, Metelis) || [[Damanhur]] || West harpoon || [[Hu (mythology)|Hu]] |- | 8 || [[A-bt]] || Tjeku / Per-Atum (Heroonpolis, [[Pithom]]) || [[Tell el-Maskhuta]] || East harpoon || [[Atum]] |- | 9 || [[Ati (nome)|Ati]] || Djed ([[Busiris (Lower Egypt)|Busiris]]) || Abu Sir Bara || [[Andjeti]] || [[Osiris]] |- | 10 || [[Ka-khem]] || Hut-hery-ib ([[Athribis]]) || [[Banha]] (Tell Atrib) || Black bull || Horus |- | 11 || [[Ka-heseb]] || Taremu ([[Leontopolis]]) || Tell el-Urydam || Heseb bull || Isis |- | 12 || [[Theb-ka]] || Tjebnutjer ([[Sebennytos]]) || Samanud || Calf and Cow || [[Onuris]] |- | 13 || [[Heq-At]] || [[Iunu]] ([[Heliopolis (Ancient Egypt)|Heliopolis]]) || Materiya (suburb of [[Cairo, Egypt|Cairo]]) || Prospering Sceptre || [[Ra]] |- | 14 || [[Khent-abt]] || [[Zarw|Tjaru]] (Sile, [[Tanis]]) || Tell Abu Sefa || Eastmost || Horus |- | 15 || [[Tehut]] || Ba'h / Weprehwy ([[Hermopolis (Lower Egypt)|Hermopolis Parva]]) || [[Baqliya]] || [[Ibis]] || [[Thoth]] |- | 16 || [[Kha (nome)|Kha]] || Djedet ([[Mendes]]) || Tell el-Rubˁ || Fish || [[Banebdjedet]], or [[Hatmehyt]] |- | 17 || [[Semabehdet]] || Semabehdet ([[Diospolis Inferior]]) || [[Tell el-Balamun]] || The throne || Amun-Ra |- | 18 || [[Am-Khent]] || Per-Bastet ([[Bubastis]]) || Tell Bastah (near [[Zagazig]]) || Prince of the South || [[Bastet]] |- | 19 || [[Am-Pehu]] || Dja'net (Leontopolis Tanis) || [[Tell Nebesha]] ''or'' [[Tanis|San el-Hagar]] || Prince of the North || [[Uatchet]] |- | 20 || [[Sopdu (nome)|Sopdu]] || Per-Sopdu || [[Saft el-Hinna]] || Plumed Falcon || [[Sopdet]] |}
==See also==
*[[Upper Egypt]] *[[Middle Egypt]] *[[Upper and Lower Egypt]] *[[Nome (Egypt)|Nomes of Egypt]] *[[Geography of Egypt]] *[[Ancient Egypt]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Lower Egypt}} {{Ancient Egypt topics}} {{Regions of Africa}}
[[Category:Lower Egypt| ]] [[Category:States and territories established in the 4th millennium BC]] [[Category:States and territories disestablished in the 4th millennium BC]] [[Category:Geography of ancient Egypt|*]] [[Category:Nile Delta]] [[Category:Regions of Egypt|.Lower Middle]] [[Category:Historical regions of Africa]]
[[it:Geografia dell'antico Egitto#Basso Egitto]]