SaisSaïs

Sais, also called Saïs, is an ancient Egyptian city located in the western Nile Delta. It rose to prominence as the capital of the Saite or 26th Dynasty (roughly 664–525 BCE) and gave its name to the period. The city housed the cult center of the goddess Neith and was an important religious and political seat, influencing architecture, art, and administration in the late New Kingdom and early Saite period.

Under Psamtik I, Sais became the political heart of unified Egypt after the turmoil of the late Bronze Age. The 26th Dynasty presided over a revival of traditional Egyptian culture and inscriptions, often described as a renaissance. Notable rulers included Necho II and Apries; later Amasis II expanded buildings, fortifications, and temple complexes at Sais. The dynasty ended with Persian conquest in 525 BCE, after which Sais declined in political status but continued to be inhabited.

Archaeological evidence from Sais includes remains of the Neith temple complex and royal monuments, along with Saitic inscriptions written in a distinctive script used during this period, called Saitic, which contributed to the study of hieratic and hieroglyphic writing. The site provided important clues about late Egyptian administration, economy, and religious practice.

In modern times, Sais is studied within Egyptology as the namesake of the Saite period. The ruins are a focus of excavation and tourism, illustrating the city’s role in the broader history of ancient Egypt.