Leontopolis: The City of Lions

Leontopolis was an ancient Egyptian city in the Nile Delta that served as a provincial capital and Metropolitan archbishopric. Known today as the archaeological site of Kafr Al Muqdam, it was the capital of the 11th nome of Lower Egypt, also known as the Leontopolite nome. The city was a center of power under the 23rd dynasty, and its name was recorded in the conquest-stela of Piye, who wrote about his victory over Iuput II, the ruler of Leontopolis.

The name Leontopolis means 'City of Lions' because of the temples dedicated to the lioness goddesses Bast and Sekhmet, and their son Maahes, the lion prince. During the period of Greek occupation, live lions were kept at these temples. While the city was known by the native Egyptian name Taremu, which means 'Land of Fish', the Greek name Leontopolis became increasingly common. After the city became a Roman province, it retained the Greek name, though the Egyptian name lingered among speakers of Coptic Egyptian into the post-classical period.

Today, the site is referred to in Arabic as Tell el-Muqdam, meaning 'mound of the city'. The city also served as a Metropolitan archbishopric known as Leontopolis in Augustamnica. In the 18th century, the diocese was restored nominally as a titular bishopric. In the modern era, scholars generally agree that Leontopolis is located at Tell al Muqdam at 30° 45′ North.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons