Note 352 — Chapter VI

“The name Thebes is corrupted from the 'Tápé’ of the ancient Egyptians and Copts, which, in the Memphitic dialect, is pronounced Thaba, easily converted into Θῆβαι, or Thebes. Some writers have confined themselves to a closer imitation of the Egyptian word; and Pliny and Juvenal have both adopted 'Thebe’ in the singular number as the name of this city. In hieroglyphics it is written Ap, Ape, or with the feminine article, Tápé, the meaning of which appears to be 'the head,’ Thebes being the capital of the country.”—Wilkinson, Thebes, vol. ii. p. 136.