Daphnae

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Daphnae

ancient city, Egypt

Also known as: Daphnai, Tahpanhes, Tall al-Dafana

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Also spelled:: Daphnai

Biblical:: Tahpanhes

Modern:: Tall al-Dafana

Key People:: Sir Flinders Petrie

Related Topics:: archaeology; fortification; Ionian

Daphnae, ancient fortress town (Fortress of Penhase), situated near Qanṭarah in northeastern Egypt. Excavations by Sir Flinders Petrie in 1886 uncovered a massive fort and enclosure surrounded by a wall 40 feet (12 metres) thick, built by Psamtik I in the 7th century bce. A garrison of mercenaries, mostly Carians and Ionian Greeks, was established in the fort. After the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (587 bce), many Jewish fugitives, including the prophet Jeremiah, fled to Tahpanhes. Its decline began in the 6th century bce when Amasis gave Naukratis the monopoly of Greek trade.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Laura Etheredge.