Per-Wadjet (Upper Egypt)

Per-Wadjet, meaning "House of Wadjet," was an ancient Egyptian city and religious center located in Upper Egypt. It was the capital of the 10th Nome of Upper Egypt and was situated on the east bank of the Nile River. The city was primarily dedicated to the goddess Wadjet, a cobra deity who was the protector of Lower Egypt and later one of the patron deities of all of Egypt.

The most prominent feature of Per-Wadjet was the temple dedicated to Wadjet. This temple, though not as extensively preserved as other Egyptian temples, was the focal point of the city's religious life and served as a center for the worship of the cobra goddess. Wadjet was frequently depicted as a rearing cobra, often wearing the Red Crown of Lower Egypt, symbolizing her role as protector of the Delta and, more broadly, of kingship.

Per-Wadjet held significant political and religious importance throughout Egyptian history. The goddess Wadjet, along with Nekhbet (the vulture goddess of Nekhen in Upper Egypt), formed the Nebty or "Two Ladies," a pair of deities who symbolized the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt and served as protectors of the pharaoh. Therefore, Per-Wadjet, as a primary cult center for Wadjet, played a crucial role in reinforcing the ideology of a unified Egypt.

The city’s importance diminished somewhat over time as other religious centers rose to prominence, but Wadjet continued to be revered as a powerful and protective deity. Per-Wadjet serves as a valuable archaeological site, providing insights into the religious beliefs and political landscape of ancient Egypt, particularly concerning the role of divine protectors and the unification of the two lands.