[4] The city dates back to the mid First Dynasty around 2970 BC, as indicated by King Den's visit to the sacred lake of Heryshaf.

During the Third Intermediate Period (1069–664 BC), Ihnasya regained importance with renovations and new constructions in the city, re-establishing itself as a religious and political center.

Ancient geographers like Strabo, Pliny the Elder, and Ptolemy mentioned Heracleopolis, often adding "Magna" to distinguish it from a smaller counterpart in the Delta.

The city was also mentioned in later texts, such as the Tabula Peutingeriana and writings by Byzantine authors Hierocles, Stephen of Byzantium, and George of Cyprus.

Heracleopolis was crossed by the Roman road from Memphis to Upper Egypt, and it boasted walls, a Greek and an Egyptian agora, a gymnasium, baths, a hippodrome, and various temples, including those dedicated to Apollo, Chronos, Anubis, and Serapis.

However, the city's decline paralleled the waning of its Christian influence, becoming depopulated and in ruins by the 12th century, with no important Arab monuments.