Upper+Egypt

Upper Egypt


 * Egyptian Name:**

//Ta-Shemau// ("Land of Reeds")

Upper Egypt was a strip of land on both sides of the Nile valley, extending from the cataract boundaries of modern-day Aswan north to the area between El-Ayait and Zawyet Dahshur (which is south of modern-day Cairo). Upper Egypt was divided into twenty-two districts called nomes. Upper Egypt was symbolized by the White Crown, the honeybee, the Date Palm, and the lotus, and its patron deities were Nekhbet, Set, and Wepwawet.

The two kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt were united in 3000 B.C.E., but each maintained its own regalia. Thus, the pharaoh was known as //Nb-twy// ("Ruler of the Two Kingdoms" - alternatively: Two Lands), and wore the Double Crown, each half representing sovereignty of one of the kingdoms.

Important Terminology