Manual of Egyptian Archaeology and Guide to the Study of Antiquities in Egypt

by G. Maspero

I have touched chiefly upon houses of the second Theban period,[][2]] this being in fact the time of which we have most examples.

[2].--FORTRESSES.

Most of the towns, and even most of the larger villages, of ancient Egypt were walled.

The oldest fortresses are those of Abydos, El Kab, and Semneh. Abydos contained a sanctuary dedicated to Osiris, and was situate at the entrance to one of the roads leading to the Oasis. As the renown of the temple attracted pilgrims, so the position of the city caused it to be frequented by merchants; hence the prosperity which it derived from the influx of both classes of strangers exposed the city to incursions of the Libyan tribes.