Hermopolis Magna

Hermopolis Magna, an ancient town of Egypt, situated on the Nile, on the border of the Thebaid, and near the frontier line of upper and middle Egypt. Thanks to its position, Hermopolis grew to be a place of great importance, ranking next after Thebes. It had a celebrated temple sacred to Thoth, the ibis-headed god of letters, of which the portico alone is all that now remains. On the opposite or right bank of the Nile was Antinoöpolis, where the dead of Hermopolis were taken for burial. The modern name of Hermopolis is Ashmun or Eshmoon.