Qus

Qu (also Gesa; Arab قوص, DMG QUS ) is a city in Egypt. In Greco- Roman times, the city Apollonopolis Parva, Apollinopolis Parva or Apollonos minoris was also briefly mentioned only Apollinopolis.

Geography and meaning

25.91666666666732.766666666667Koordinaten: 25 ° 55 'N, 32 ° 46' O

The place is located ten kilometers south of Koptos on the east side of the Nile in the Qena district ( province ) and has about 300 000 inhabitants. The city was in the Middle Ages to Cairo, the most important city in Egypt. It was the starting point for caravans to Al- Quseir on the Red Sea.

History

The town existed since the Old Kingdom. Here the god was worshiped Nebschemau, who was later equated with Haroeris. The Greeks put this again with Apollo equal, whereby the city received its Greek name.

Archaeological remains from this period there is little, only from the Ptolemaic period there are remains of a temple that was dedicated to the goddess and Haroeris Heket. From Roman times, some built in mosques columns date. Under Diocletian the city for some time has been renamed Diokletianopolis. There are a few remnants of Christian buildings.

641 were the Arabs in Egypt and conquered Qus. Shortly after, here is the great mosque have been built, which still dominates the cityscape. In Fatimid period, the Great Mosque was extended several times.

Especially in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the city experienced its greatest period of prosperity. Here the armies were stationed mainly guarded the south of Egypt. By connecting to the Red Sea, the city was a place where many pilgrims passed to Mecca. The town also had a famous university ( Madrasa )

From the late fourteenth century, the city lost its importance. Girga now became the most important city in Upper Egypt. Trade routes shifted to. Many pilgrimages now went over Cairo.