Letopolis

Letopolis (Ancient Egyptian: Ḫtm, Ḫt-nmtj; Greek: Λητοῦς Πόλις) was an ancient Egyptian city, the capital of the second nome of Lower Egypt. Its modern location is generally accepted to be at Kom Ausim (also spelled Kom Awsheem or Ausim), located in the Nile Delta, northeast of Memphis.

The city's name, Letopolis, is derived from the Greek association of the site with the goddess Leto, who was identified with the Egyptian goddess Wadjet. However, Wadjet's primary cult center was located in Buto (Per-Wadjet), and Letopolis never attained the same level of religious importance.

Letopolis's history dates back to the Old Kingdom, with evidence of activity during the reign of the Third Dynasty pharaohs. The site continued to be occupied throughout subsequent periods, including the New Kingdom and the Late Period. During the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, it remained a significant settlement in the region.

Significant archaeological findings at Kom Ausim include the remains of a temple dedicated to the deity Khenty-irty, a local crocodile god. While not as extensively excavated as other major Egyptian cities, archaeological work at Kom Ausim has yielded valuable insights into the religious and administrative life of the region during various periods of Egyptian history.

Despite its historical significance as a nome capital, Letopolis is less well-known than other major ancient Egyptian cities such as Memphis, Thebes, or Alexandria. The site continues to be a subject of archaeological investigation, which may reveal further information about the city's history and importance.