The name Thebes comes from the Greek Ta-pe,

but to the ancient Egyptians the city was known as Waset, a name that refers to the pharaoh's scepter.

Nowadays the Theban ruins are located in and around the city of Luxor along the banks of the river Nile.

 

The city started as a small trading post at the time of the start of the First Dynasty, around 3200 BC. 

 

Over the centuries Thebes grew in importance and the city was the capital of Egypt during most of the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom period.

 

Later on its political importance faded but Thebes remained Egypt's religious center as the city of the mighty god Amun-Ra.

 

All that remains of that glorious past are the temple of Karnak, the Temple of Luxor and the Thebes Necropolis where many of the pharaohs and their kin are buried.

 

Early in the morning of a hot day in November 2002 we boarded a bus in Hurghada and drove in an armed convoy 300 km through the desert to Luxor where we visited the main sites.

 

It was already dark when we returned in Hurghada after a very interesting but long day.