Heracleion

Heraclion is an ancient city in Egypt that was flooded by the Nile. It was founded in the 7th century BC and was one of the most important cities in ancient Egypt. Heraklion was a center of trade and culture and has a history of over 2000 years. The city is also called Tonis, Fonida.

History of Heraklion

According to the Greek version of the story of Diodorus Siculus, Heraklion was named after the founder - Hercules. According to Herodotus, Paris and Helen the Beautiful got into the city due to the fact that their ship went astray during a storm. King Ton, having learned about the abduction of Elena, sent them along with servants and treasures to Memphis. According to the historian Strabo, the city of Fonida is named after King Ton. Heraklion was located on the west bank of the Nile, near the modern city of Cairo. The city was built on a high bank to protect it from floods. It was surrounded by walls and had many temples, palaces and other buildings.

One of the most famous buildings in Heraklion was the temple of the god Amun. This temple was one of the most important religious centers in ancient Egypt and was dedicated to the god Amun, god of the sun and creation. The temple was built in the 15th century BC and was decorated with many sculptures and paintings.

Heraklion was also a center of trade. The city was located on a major trade route that connected Egypt with other countries. There were many markets in Heraklion where various goods were sold such as silk, spices, gold and silver. However, in the 4th century AD, the Nile overflowed its banks and flooded Heraklion. The city was completely flooded and left at the bottom of the Nile. For many years Heracleion was forgotten and its location was unknown.

In 2000, archaeologists discovered the ruins of Heraklion at the bottom of the Nile. They found many artifacts such as sculptures, statues, jewelry, and other items that had been stored in flooded buildings. These artifacts have helped scientists learn more about the life and culture of Ancient Egypt.

Artifacts in Heraklion

The port was badly damaged. Until now, objects of commercial life buried in silt, the wreckage of several ships, different in their design, are found. Excavations in 2021, carried out by scientists in France and Egypt, brought more finds that bring historical value. Parts of the ship, the remains of the Greek cemetery were found. Under a five-meter layer of clay, the ruins of a temple were found, as well as a part of a ship assembled with long flat boards and other fasteners, indicating that the ship is an example of Egyptian shipbuilding with antique classical additions. The ship was built in accordance with local traditions, equipped with a large sail, and was not intended for sea travel, but only for sailing along the Nile. The wood used for its construction was secondary.

The remains of an ancient cemetery were found in another part of Heraklion, on a hill. The Greek merchants who inhabited Heraklion imported goods through the branch of the Nile, near the temple of Amun. The remains of ships, objects and parts of the temple, mixed during the earthquake and tsunami, were found. The wreckage is still found, they are scattered and sprinkled with silt. For archaeological excavations, bottom profiling equipment is used. The granite columns of the temple, located in one direction, indicate that they fell in one direction rapidly, under the influence of a great force: a stream of water that arose due to an earthquake. The ruins of the city are located not far: three kilometers from Alexandria, in the bay of Aboukir, at a depth of about ten meters.

The death of Heraklion

French scientists found a granite slab with the inscription of the city, coins, valuables, the remains of ten ships in the harbor, vases, thousands of items thrown during an earthquake and tsunami. Most of the people died. Some managed to escape, leaving all their property and valuables behind. Scientists are surprised by the fact that the chronicles indicate many events affecting earthquakes, various natural disasters, but the death of Heraklion is not mentioned. Apparently, this happened due to an underwater earthquake that came under water. It could be caused by the seismic instability of the island of Crete. Many scientists believe that the earthquake could have been caused by the flooding of the Nile River. Not far from Heraklion, archaeologists discovered a displacement of the branch of the Nile River, which could only be realized under the influence of man-made disasters. The city was dying gradually.

Today, Heraklion is a popular tourist destination. Tourists can visit the museum, which houses artifacts found in flooded buildings. They can also visit the ruins of Heraklion and see the remaining buildings and walls.