Ekhmim

Ekhmim, or IKHMÎM (the ancient Apn or Khemmis, and called by the Greeks Panopolis), is a fair-sized town of Upper Egypt (pop. 15,000, chiefly Copts, but including Roman Catholics) on the east bank of the Nile near Suhâg, and was formerly the capital of the 9th nome of the south country (see EGYPT). Ruins mark the site of the temple of the local deity, Khim, the Egyptian Pan, but there are few remains of any importance. Herodotus speaks of Khemmis as a large city with a temple dedicated to Perseus, and it was still a leading place of the Thebaid in the days of Strabo; but the Arab conquest demolished the greater part. It was once famous for linen manufacture and masonry, and is still noted for its check cotton industry.