Greco-Roman Egypt

From Alexander to Cleopatra, and Caesar to the Arab Conquest. A fusion of civilizations that shaped the ancient world.

The Era of Fusion

For nearly a thousand years (332 BC – 641 AD), Egypt was the beating heart of the Mediterranean. It began when Alexander the Great liberated Egypt from Persian rule and was crowned Pharaoh. It flourished under the Ptolemies, who built Alexandria into a beacon of science and culture. It later became the personal property of the Roman Emperors, serving as the granary that fed Rome.

This period saw the birth of a unique multicultural society where Egyptian gods wore Greek robes, Roman emperors were depicted as Pharaohs, and Coptic Christianity emerged from the deserts to conquer the soul of the nation.

332 BC Alexander Conquers Egypt
305 BC Ptolemaic Dynasty Begins
30 BC Death of Cleopatra / Roman Rule
641 AD Arab Conquest Ends Era

Encyclopedia Sections

Rulers

Rulers & Emperors

From the Ptolemies to Roman Emperors. Alexander the Great, Ptolemy I Soter, Cleopatra VII, and Augustus.

Meet the Rulers
Serapis

Gods & Cults

The rise of Serapis, the Hellenized Isis, and the blending of Greek and Egyptian pantheons.

Explore Cults
Alexandria

Alexandria

The intellectual capital of the world. The Mouseion, the Great Library, and the Pharos Lighthouse.

Visit the City
Philae

Greco-Roman Temples

Architectural marvels built during this era: Philae, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Dendera.

View Temples
Science

Science & Knowledge

The golden age of astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Euclid, Eratosthenes, and Hypatia.

Learn More
Fayum Portraits

Art & Fayum Portraits

The hauntingly realistic Mummy Portraits of Fayum, representing a unique fusion of styles.

View Art
Wars

Wars & Conflict

The Siege of Alexandria, the Battle of Actium, and revolts against Roman taxation.

Read History
Coptic

Rise of Christianity

Saint Mark's arrival, the birth of Monasticism in the desert, and the transition to the Coptic era.

Explore Faith
Language

Language & Writing

The Rosetta Stone, the use of Greek in administration, and the evolution of the Coptic script.

Read Scripts
Daily Life

Daily Life

Life in cosmopolitan Alexandria vs. the countryside. Fashion, theaters, and baths.

Explore Life
Philosophy

Philosophy & Schools

The Catechetical School of Alexandria, Neoplatonism, and the intellectual legacy of Plotinus.

Learn More
Economy

Economy & Trade

Egypt as the granary of Rome, glass manufacturing, and the Red Sea spice trade routes.

Explore Trade
Lighthouse

The Pharos Lighthouse

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its structure, function, and eventual fall.

See Wonder
Catacombs

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

A subterranean wonder in Alexandria where Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art collide.

Descend

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