Greco-Roman Period in Egypt (332 B.C A.D.
395)
By :
Marina Fakher
introduction
• The Late Period of Ancient Egyptian history
came to an end in 332 BC when Egypt was
conquered by the Greeks. The Greeks formed
their own dynasty called the Ptolemaic
Dynasty that ruled for nearly 300 years until
30 BC. In 30 BC the Romans took control of
Egypt. The Romans ruled for over 600 years
until around 640 AD.
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First
the Greek period
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chronology
Ptolemaic Period 332-30 BC
Macedonian Dynasty 332-305
Alexander the Great 332-323
Philip Arrhidaeus 323-317
Alexander IV 317-310
Ptolemaic Dynasty
305-285
Ptolemy I Soter I 285-246
Ptolemy II Philadelphus 246-221
Ptolemy III Euergetes I 221-205
Ptolemy IV Philopator 205-180
Ptolemy V Epiphanes 180-145
Ptolemy VI Philometor 145
Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator 170-116
Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II 116-107
Ptolemy IX Soter II 107-88
Ptolemy X Alexander I 88-80
Ptolemy IX Soter II (restored) 80
Ptolemy XI Alexander II 80-51
Ptolemy XI I Neos Dionysos (Auletes) 51-30
Cleopatra VII Philopator 51-47
*Ptolemy XIII 47-44
Ptolemy XIV 44-30
Ptolemy XV Caesarion
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Alexander III of Macedon
• commonly known as Alexander the
Great.
• He was born in Pella in 356 BC and
succeeded his father Philip II to the
throne at the age of twenty.
• He spent most of his ruling years on
military campaigns through Asia and
northeast Africa, and he had created
one of the largest empires of the
ancient world by the age of thirty.
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• Alexander the Great conquered
Egypt in 332 B.C., thus ending
unwanted Persian rule. The
Egyptians fully accepted him as
pharaoh because he adopted the
Egyptian kingship and religion.
• Among other building projects,
Alexander laid the foundations of a
new city called Alexandria on the
Mediterranean Coast, which
became the new capital of Egypt.
• Upon Alexander's death, control of
Egypt fell to one of his generals,
Ptolemy I Soter, who began a line
of monarchs who ruled Egypt for
the next 275 years.
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• Greek became the is aofficial language of
Greco-Egyptian theThe
god. government.
cult of Serapis
Demotic, however,waswas still usedduring
introduced by the the
majority of the BC
3rd century
Egyptians and used in lesser
on the ordersadministrative
of Ptolemy I offices.
of EgyptLikewise,
as a
high officials were Greek, while local administration
means to unify the Greeks and Egyptians in
remained in Egyptian hands. Throughout most of Ptolemaic
his realm.
rule, the Egyptians were unsettled with Greek rule and
often revolted.
• Religiously, the Ptolemy(s) combined Egyptian and Greek
religion. They established the national cults of Serapis.
• They continued to build many traditional temples all over
Egypt, including Philae, Dendera, and Idfu, as did their
successors, the Roman emperors The Greeks blended the
traditional Egyptian styles with contemporary Hellenistic
styles in these edifices, and in other artwork.
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Decline of the Ptolemaic Dynasty
• When Ptolemy III died in 221 BC, the Ptolemaic Dynasty
began to weaken. The government became corrupt and
many revolutions occurred throughout the country. At the
same time, the Roman Empire was becoming stronger and
taking over much of the Mediterranean.
• Battle with Rome In 31 BC, Pharaoh Cleopatra VII allied with
Roman general Mark Antony against another Roman leader
named Octavious. The two sides met at the Battle of Actium
where Cleopatra and Mark Antony were soundly defeated.
One year later, Octavian arrived in Alexandria and defeated
the Egyptian army.
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• 1) What leader invaded Egypt in 332 BC
bringing an end to Persian rule?
• -Julius Caesar
• -Alexander the Great
• -Genghis Khan
• -Darius I Xerxes
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• 2) What was the capital city of Egypt under
the rule of the Greeks?
• -Thebes
• -Cairo
• -Luxor
• -Alexandria
• -Memphis
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• 3) What was the name of the Egyptian dynasty
during the rule of the Greeks?
• -Fortieth Dynasty
• -Greek Dynasty
• -Alexandrian Dynasty
• -Macedonian Dynasty
• -Ptolemaic Dynasty
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• 4) What period of Egypt came to an end when
the Greeks took control?
• -Next Period
• -New Kingdom
• -1st Intermediate Period
• -Late Period
• -Ottoman Period
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• 5) What empire took control of Egypt from the
Greeks in 30 BC?
• -Roman Empire
• -British Empire
• -Babylonian Empire
• -Persian Empire
• -Empire of Ghana
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• 6) True or False: The city of Alexandria was a
centre of Greek culture and education and
one of the most important cities of the
Mediterranean.
• -TRUE
• -FALSE
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second
the Roman period
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introduction
• In 30 BC, Egypt became an official Roman
province. Daily life in Egypt changed little
under Roman rule. Egypt became one of the
most important provinces of Rome as a
source of grain and as a trade centre. For
several hundred years, Egypt was a source of
great wealth for Rome. When Rome split in
the 4th century, Egypt became a part of the
Eastern Roman Empire (also called
Byzantium)
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chronology
Roman Period 30 BC-AD 395
Augustus 30 BC-AD 14
Tiberius AD 14-37
Gaius (Caligula) 37-41
Claudius 41-54
Nero 54-68
Galba 68-69
Otho 69
Vespasian 69-79
Titus 79-81
Domitian 81-96
Nerva 96-98
Trajan 98-117
Hadrian 117-138
Antoninus Pius 138-161
Marcus Aurelius 161-180
Lucius Verus 161-169
Commodus 180-192
Septimius Severus 193-211
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Caracalla 198-217
Geta 209-212
Macrinus 217-218
Didumenianus 218
Severus Alexander 222-235
Gordian III 238-242
Philip 244-249
Decius 249-251
Callus and Volusianus 251-253
Valerian 253-260
Gallienus 253-268
Macrianus and Quietus 260-261
Aurelian 270-275
Probus 276-282
Diocletian 284-305
Maximian 286-305
Galerius 293-311
Constantius 293-306
Constantine I 306-337
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Maxentius 306-312
Maximinus Daia 307-324
Licinius 308-324
Constantine II 337-340
Constans (co-ruler) 337-350
Constantius II (co-ruler) 337-361
Magnetius (co-ruler) 350-353
Julian the Apostate 361-363
Jovian 363-364
Valentinian I (west) 364-375
Valens (co-ruler, east) 364-378
Gratian (co-ruler, west) 375-383
Theodosius (co-ruler) 379-395
Valentinian II (co-ruler, west) 383-392
Eugenius (co-ruler) 392-394
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• Rome’s rule over Egypt officially began with the arrival of
Octavian(later called Augustus) in 30 B.C., following his defeat
of Marc Antony and Cleopatra in the battle at Actium.
Augustus, who presented himself to the people of Egypt as the
successor to the pharaohs, dismantled the Ptolemaic
monarchy and annexed the country as his personal estate. He
appointed a prefect (governor) for a limited term, For almost a
decade, Egypt was protected by Roman legions and auxiliary
units until conditions became stable.
• Egyptian grain supplied the city of Rome. The country also
produced papyrus, glass, and various finely crafted minor arts
that were exported to the rest of the Roman empire.
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The 4th century AD
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During the 4th century AD, when the Roman Empire
split in two and Christianity was finally recognized
by Constantine, the Emperor of the Eastern Roman
Empire (today called the Byzantine Empire),
Christianity had become the dominant religion in
Egypt.
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• 1) What Roman general did Cleopatra ally with
to fight against Octavian?
• -Julius Caesar
• -Marcus Crassus
• -Mark Antony
• -Cornelius Sulla
• -Gnaeus Magnus
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• 2) True or False: Egypt was a source of grain
and great wealth for the Roman Empire.
• -TRUE
• -FALSE
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Overview Greco-
Roman-
Monuments in
Egypt
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Overview Greco-Roman-Monuments in Egypt
• The Greek and the Romans during their rule
constructed a number of monuments that
have helped in making Egypt’s history so
enriched and popular across the globe. The
monuments still stand in Egypt, which are
visited by tourists from across the globe on
their Egypt travel itinerary. Few main regions
which are home to such monuments include
Alexandria, Aswan, Cairo, Luxor and more.
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Greco-Roman Monuments in Aswan:
• There are many temples and archaeological places in
Aswan that date back to the Roman-Greek era.
• 1-Dendera Temple
• The temple started constructing in Ptolemy III reign, but
had numerous changes made by the Roman Ptolemaic
rulers. The temple has a famous painting of Queen
Cleopatra and Caesaron. Horoscope inscriptions are a
central attraction. The temple of Hathor at Dendera was
constructed in 125 BCE and belongs to the Greco-Roman
period. Dendera since then has become a cult centre. The
Birth House of Nectanebo is 200 years older than this
temple.
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• 2-Philae Temple:
• This beautiful temple complex lies to the south of
Aswan and the temple is dedicated to goddess Isis
and was constructed during 3rd century B.C. The
island of Philae and the temples were threatened
during the turn of the century when Aswan dam
was constructed. Destined to get drowned and
disappeared forever under the water, fortunately a
new Coffer Dam was constructed in 1977 that
helped in pumping the water out. Agilkia was
modified to resemble Philae and temples were
reassembled which was open to public again in
1980.
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Greco-Roman monuments in Cairo:
• Fort Babylon
• The history of Fort Babylon in Cairo dates back to
Pharaonic times, but the fortress was built after the
Persian occupation of Egypt only after which the need
raised and was purely for military superiority. The
fortress is named so since Roman times. After getting
occupied by Copts there were many churches and
monasteries built within the enclosure and much of
the original construction remained so till 19 century.
But after British conquest of Egypt most of it was
demolished with just towers and gates remaining.
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Greco Roman monuments in Alexandria:
• The Roman Theatre
• This Roman Theatre remains was uncovered after a long
excavation and is well preserved with galleries, mosaic
flooring and marble seats with room for 800 viewers.
During Ptolemaic times, the area was a pleasure garden
and the Park of Pan. The theatre once served as an Odeon
for musical performances. Inscriptions indicate this to be a
wrestling arena as well. The theatre has 13 semi-circular
tiers made from white marble which was imported from
Europe. Moving out one can see walls of stone, substantial
arches, bricks of Roman baths and remains of Roman
houses. Marina Fakher
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Christianity in
Egypt
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Coptic period
• Christianity entered Egypt in the middle of the first century AD by
the entry of St. Mark to Alexandria
• And the establishment of the first church in Egypt and Africa as a
whole, Christians have suffered from the persecution of the
Romans to them in particular During the reign of Emperor
Diocletian.
• But we came under the reign of Emperor Constantine who began
to recognize Christianity as a religion allowed within
• The Roman Empire and then recognized the Christian religion as
the official religion of the entire Roman state.
• Many churches and monasteries were built in Egypt throughout
this period, even after Islam entered Egypt
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Coptic Architecture
Architecture of the
church
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The Building of church
• The church is a representation of God’s house,
and is considered the connection between the
god and his people.
• churches are designed with much symbolism.
• Although the church has many materials
(stones, gold, sense, paintings, wood, etc.) the
buildings are with no value without the Holy
Spirit.
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Types of the church:
• Byzantine type
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• Cross type
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• Basilica type
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The Architectural
Items of the
church:
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1-The Doors:
• The door of the church is on the
western side to be the border
between the word of livings and the
heavenly world.
• The church has three doors:
• The main one for the people of the
church.
• The northern one for the religious
men.
• The southern one for the gifts and
the funds for the church.
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2-The Nave:
the nave is ●
The Chancel or Chorus of Deacons.
divided into ●
The Chorus of Believers or the nave
of the church
two parts:
The chancel
contains seats
for deacons.
It is separated
from the
sanctuary by the
iconostasis
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3-The Iconostasis
• The iconostasis is one of
the most important
architectural features of
Orthodox churches.
• It is a screen that made
of wood or marble,
containing icons of the
Lord, His angels and his
saints. It lies between the
sanctuary and the nave contains three doors: the Royal door, which is the
Above the central door of the
entrance to the main sanctuary; and a door on
of the church. iconostasis
each there
of the other is the
side for a huge cross as
side sanctuaries.
The side doors
a symbol ofwere
theused for preparation
victory of of the
host only in the byzantine churches but in Coptic
Christianity over its enemies
churches all doors are royal doors.
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The Ostrich Eggs:
• The main feature that
distinguishes ancient Coptic
and Greek Churches is the
Ostrich Eggs.
• They are suspended before the
Iconostasis between the Icons.
Eggs generally held a symbolic
meaning in the early Church, as
a hope of resurrection, or the
risen spiritual life in Christ.
• There is a traditional belief that the Ostrich, after laying her eggs, must
keep looking at them, in order to speed up their hatching. So, when we go to
the Church, we have to concentrate all our through and attention to the
Divine worship
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4-The Cross
• The cross may found
inside the church building
or outside of the church
and on the towers.
• The cross is symbol of that
the church is under the
authority of the crucified
lord, living with his law,
guided by the Holy Spirit
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5-Pillars & Ambon:
• Some people think that the columns inside the
church is to support the ceiling of the church but
these columns may refer to the two columns of the
temple of Solomon (mentioned in Old Testament) or
the pillars refer to the 12 disciples of the Christ.
• An Ambon usually rests on one of the twelve
columns, and is made of marble, stone or in most
cases, wood. It is a high building that the bishop or
priest stands on when preaching to the congregation.
It refers to the stone of the Lord’s tomb on which the
angel sat on and talked to the women. This is not
usually found in modern churches.
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Architecture of
the Monastery
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The History of Early Monasticism:
• Egypt is the starting point of the monasticism, as the
system of the monasticism was known in Egypt and
spread into the whole world.
• Saint Paul considered as the founder of the monasticism
of ( ) ا((الباء لا((سوا(حwhich means the monk become as a
tourist in the wild life away from the world of livings.
• saint Anthony and the established the system of (The
Archimandrite Monks) لا((رهبان لا((متوحدينwhich means that
each monk lives alone in a cave all the week and they
gathered in a the church together in Sundays to pray and
to eat Eucharist.
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The Architectural Items of the Monasteries:
• There is no standard architectural design for
the monasteries but the environmental and
geographical circumstances played the main
role in the architectural design of the
monastery but the monastery consisted of
many architectural items as follows:
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1-The cells:
• The cells are the room that the
monks live alone inside it around
the main church of the monastery,
sometimes some monks lived with
an aged monk inside his cell to
learn from him.
• The cell is developed from the
caves and the places in deserts in
which the monks lived inside it so
that the cells are the starting point
to establish the monasteries.
• The cells are built from mud-brick
or stone.
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2-The church:
• it is the main part in the
monastery as the monks
gathered in it on Sundays to
pray and perform their
rituals.
• The monastery may have one
church or more than one
according to its space.
• The design of the church of
the monastery isn’t different
from the church outside it
except its size is smaller.
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3-Dining place:
• It is a rectangle hall
that has a long table
which the monks sit
about it to eat their
food and to eat
with each other
Agape meal after
• At the end of the dining hall
doing pray in the
there is a book stand because
church on Sundays.
during the dining time one of
the old monks read some
paragraphs from the holy
books. Marina Fakher
4-The Well:
• It is the most important
thing in the monastery
because the monasteries
are in deserts and in
remote areas to have the
fresh water for drinking
and for purification.
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5-The fort:
• It is the huge tower that its first
floor has no door or windows.
• It has a winch for lifting the monks
inside and outside because the
monastery doesn’t have any door.
• The towers also prepared with
important things during time of
dangerous so that it has rooms for
monks, a well, a small church
which is dedicated for the name of
the angel Mikhail the protective
angle, grains stores, a small
watching tower, and some
openings for the arrows to drive
away any threat from the
monastery.
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6-The library:
• The monks spend their time
in reading and in enriching
their minds with information
so the library is important in
the monastery.
• The library of the monastery
of Saint Catherine is the
oldest remained monastery’s
library in the world
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7-Tombs:
• The tombs may be built
inside the monastery or
outside it to bury the
monks who died inside
the monastery.
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8-The mills and winepress:
• they are small
buildings inside the
monastery that have
rooms for the
winepress of the oils
and mills of grains
the monks used
them to prepare the
materials for
preparing their food.
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9-the walls:
• Starting from the 4th
century AD the walls
were built around the
monastery after declaring
that the Christianity is the
official religion of Egypt
to protect the monastery
in the time of dangerous,
these walls are very high
and have small winch for
lifting the visitors and big
winch to lift the supplies In the preset time the monasteries
of the monastery inside has high walls with doors and
and outside the watching towers also
monastery.
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The Coptic Art
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• Any Art is the result of the culture of the man
or an aspect for the mentality or the moral
thinking.
• the Coptic art began since the spread of the
Greek in Egypt
• The Coptic art is a result of mixing between the
Greek culture and ancient Egypt.
• the Coptic art has many stages until it reached
to the final stage which is known now in the
churches.
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Funerary stela of Elmoun
• 1st century A.D
• Louvre musuem N330
• limestone
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Heraclus stela
• 2nd century A.D
• Kom Abu Billo
• Lime stone
• Walter museum
The couch
Kantharous cup
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The door of heaven
• 6th century A.D
• Coptic museum
• Unknown provenance (upper Egypt)
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Cemetery of bagawat
• Kharga oasis
• Chapel of peace
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Column crown
• 6th century A.D
• Limestone
• Dier anba
Jerermiah
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Icons
• What does the word Icon
mean?
• Portrait
• painting of Christ or another holy figure
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Icon of baptism of the christ
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Icon of Ava Poula and Ava Antonious
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Fayoum portraits
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• is the modern term given to a type of
naturalistic painted portrait on wooden
boards attached to Egyptian mummies from
the Coptic period. They belong to the tradition
of panel painting, one of the most highly
regarded forms of art in the Classical world. In
fact, the Fayum portraits are the only large
body of art from that tradition to have
survived.
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Marina Fakher
