Editing Memphis, Egypt (section)

===Royal palaces===
Memphis was the seat of power for the kings of more than eight [[List of ancient Egyptian dynasties|dynasties]]. According to Manetho, the first royal palace was founded by [[Hor-Aha]], the successor of [[Narmer]], the founder of the [[First dynasty of Egypt|1st Dynasty]]. He built a fortress in Memphis of white walls. Egyptian sources tell of the palaces of the Old Kingdom rulers, some of which were built underneath major royal pyramids. They were immense in size, and were embellished with parks and lakes.<ref>Lalouette, ''Textes sacrés et textes profanes de l'Ancienne Égypte'' (Vol II), pp. 175–177.</ref> In addition to the palaces described below, other sources indicate the existence of a palace founded in the city by [[Thutmose I]], which was still operating under the reign of [[Tuthmosis IV]].
[[File:Memphis200402.JPG|thumb|left|The ruins of the palace of Apries, overlooking Memphis]]

According to official texts of his reign, Merneptah ordered the building of a large walled enclosure housing a new temple and an adjoining palace.<ref>Herodotus, ''The Histories'' (Vol II), § 112.</ref> Later [[Apries]], had a palatial complex constructed at Kom Tuman on a promontory overlooking the city. It was part of a series of structures built within the temple precinct in the Late Period, and contained a royal palace, a fortress, barracks, and armouries. [[Flinders Petrie]] excavated the area and found considerable signs of military activity.<ref>Petrie, ''The Palace of Apries (Memphis II)'', § II, pp. 5–7 & plates III to IX.</ref>