The site of ancient Shedet is now occupied by the city of Faiyum, located approximately 100 km southwest of Cairo in the Faiyum Oasis. Wikipedia
Crocodilopolis: Named by the Greeks due to the city’s association with the crocodile god Sobek. Shedet was the principal center for the worship of Sobek, the crocodile deity associated with fertility and the Nile.
Sacred Crocodile (Petsuchos): A live crocodile, considered sacred, was kept in a temple pond, adorned with jewels, and worshipped by the populace. Upon its death, it was mummified and replaced.
Arsinoë: Renamed during the Ptolemaic period in honor of Queen Arsinoe II.
Historical Timeline
Old Kingdom (~2686–2181 BCE): Shedet established as a settlement; early worship of Sobek begins.
Middle Kingdom (~2055–1650 BCE): Significant development under the 12th Dynasty, especially during the reigns of Senusret II and Amenemhat III, who implemented extensive irrigation projects, transforming the Faiyum into a major agricultural hub. Wikipedia
Ptolemaic Period (332–30 BCE): City renamed Arsinoë; continued prominence as a religious center.
Roman Period (30 BCE–395 CE): Maintained its status as a significant city within the Roman province of Egypt.
Agricultural Hub: The Faiyum region, nourished by the Nile via the Bahr Yussef canal, became a fertile area for agriculture, contributing to the city’s prosperity. Wikipedia
Trade and Commerce: The city’s strategic location facilitated trade within Egypt and with neighboring regions.
Today, Medinet el-Faiyum is the capital of the Faiyum Governorate.
