Asyut

Asyut is the capital of Asyut governorate and a major city in Upper Egypt. It is located on the western side of the Nile River, approximately halfway between Cairo and Aswan. The fertile Nile River valley in this area spans around 20 km in width. In ancient Egypt, the city was called Syut and it was a center of worship for the god Wepwawet. During the Middle Kingdom, it served as the capital of the 17th nome of Upper Egypt. Although it couldn't rival the power of Thebes, it was an important commercial hub for caravan routes across the Eastern and Western deserts. In Hellenistic times, it was known as Lycopolis. The city was famous for its high-quality textiles and the abundance of fruits and grain grown nearby, which were exported to Darfur and other parts of Sudan. Caravans returning from these journeys brought back slaves, ivory, and dyestuffs.