LONG ago in ancient times stood a bustling Egyptian city known for its incredible temples and city ports.
Situated in the Mediterranean, Thonis-Heracleion was almost forgotten forever after sinking 1,200 years ago.
The legendary beginnings of Thonis go back to as early 8th century BC when it was founded as Egypt’s most important trading port city.
Scattered across a series of interlinked islands off the northern coast, the metropolis – dubbed “Venice of Nile” – was once the country’s gateway to the Mediterranean.
Situated somewhere near present-day Abu Qir Bay – every ship bringing in goods to ancient Egypt used the port as their first stop.
These goods would then be inspected and taxed at designated customs offices and then distributed further in the mainland.
Ancient Greek historians and philosophers have all mentioned the place which grew particularly important during the fall of the Pharaohs.
The city was built around a central temple and was intersected by canals with several harbours and anchorages.
A network of ferries, bridges, and pontoons joined all the city’s houses.
However, the main attraction of the metropolis was the large temple of Amun-Gereb located in the middle of the city.
Thonis certainly was an astonishing city, perhaps one of the greatest of its time, but most of its descriptions have been lost in time.
The only place where the city existed was in three realms of myths.
Greek historian Herodotus described Thonis-Heracleion as the spot where Heracles first arrived in Egypt and as the place where Paris and Helen of Troy visited before the start of the Trojan War.
Fall of the city
As time pᴀssed, the fortune of the city dramatically changed.
Somewhere in 331 BC, Alexander the Great founded the legendary city of Alexandria just 15 miles away from Thonis.
Eventually, Alexander’s bustling city – which also featured the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria – took over the greatness of Thonis as it became the primary trading centre of the region.
But what really destroyed Thonis was the wrath of nature.
Over time, the city was crumbled by a string of earthquakes, tsunamis, and rising sea levels.
And after a severe flood around 100 BC, the city succumbed and became a metropolis of ruins.
A few residents stayed till the Romans and even Arabs came and ruled over the place, but by the end of the eighth century AD, what was left of Thonis had sunk beneath the sea.
The city was hidden underwater – sand and other debris that covered the remains made it unlikely for people to discover it, even by accident.
