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Esna is a town in Luxor Governorate. It is located on the western bank of the Nile, 50 kilometres south of the governorate. Esna was the capital of the 3rd nome of Upper Egypt. It was known in ancient Egypt as Ta-Snyt. During the Ptolemaic period, Esna was called Latopolis as the Nile Perch (Lates niloticus), one of the largest species that inhabit the Nile, was worshipped in the city. The modern Arabic name of Esna derives from its ancient Egyptian name. Unfortunately, the modern Esna has been built over some temples. The only discovered temple is dedicated to the god Khnum, his consorts Menhit and Nebtu, their son, Heka, and the goddess Neith.
