Kom Tuman Ii

This book presents a comprehensive study of the pottery from the Persian and Graeco-Roman periods at Memphis/KomTuman. The material analysed originates from a complex of administrative, residential, and artisanal quarters that lay at the foot of the palace of Apries mound in the northern part of the ruin field. The bulk of the ceramic finds consists of local Egyptian vessels, but imports, principally from East Greece and the Levant, are represented in significant proportions throughout the excavation areas. The pottery is discussed according to chronology, typology, context, and function, and is thoroughly illustrated with line drawings and photographs. Statistical data, based on thousands of recorded sherds, are presented in the appendixes and are integrated in the interpretation of the site. The results shed new light on the nature of the city and the life of its inhabitants from the time of Herodotus to that of Zenon of Caunos --

Despite the prominence of ancient temples in the landscape of Egypt, books about them are surprisingly rare; this new and essential publication from a prominent Czech scholar answers the need for a study that goes beyond temple architecture to examine the spiritual, economic and political aspects of these specific institutions and the dominant roles they played. Miroslav Verner presents a deeper and more complex study of major ancient Egyptian religious centers, their principal temples, their rise and decline, their religious doctrines, cults, rituals, feasts, and mysteries. Also discussed are the various categories of priests, the organization of the priesthood, and its daily services and customs. Each chapter offers the reader essential and up-to-date information about temple complexes and the history of their archaeological exploration, in the context of the spiritual dimension and cultural legacy of ancient Egypt.

From early towns to booming metropolises, The Complete Cities of Ancient Egypt explores every facet of urban life in ancient Egypt with a leading authority in the field as a guide Ancient Egyptian cities and towns have until recently been one of the least-studied and least-published aspects of this great ancient civilization. Now, new research and excavation are transforming our knowledge. This is the first book to bring these latest discoveries to a wide audience and to provide a comprehensive overview of what we know about ancient settlement during the dynastic period. The cities range in date from early urban centers to large metropolises. From houses to palaces to temples, the different parts of Egyptian cities and towns are examined in detail, giving a clear picture of the urban world. The inhabitants, from servants to Pharaoh, are vividly brought to life, placed in the context of the civil administration that organized every detail of their lives. Famous cities with extraordinary buildings and fascinating histories are also examined here through detailed individual treatments, including: Memphis, home of the pyramid–building kings of the Old Kingdom; Thebes, containing the greatest concentration of monumental buildings from the ancient world; and Amarna, intimately associated with the pharaoh Akhenaten. An analysis of information from modern excavations and ancient texts recreates vibrant ancient communities, providing range and depth beyond any other publication on the subject.

The economic, political and historical story of the Nile in ancient times is unearthed through its landscape.

"After its conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, Egypt was ruled for the next 300 years by the Ptolemaic dynasty founded by Ptolemy I, one of Alexander's generals. With the defeat of Cleopatra VII, in 30 BC, Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire. The thousand years from Alexander to the Arab conquest in AD641 are rich in archaeological interest and well documented in Greek, Egyptian, Latin and other languages. But travellers and others interested in the remains of this period are ill-served by most guide to Egypt. This book redresses the balance, with clear and concise descriptions related to documents and historical background." -- Bookjacket.

These nine papers are from a session of the EAA 8th Conference, held in Thessalonike in 2002, which aimed to explore Europe's fascination with Egypt, as reflected in museum collections across the continent, the history of Egyptology and new archaeological evidence for contacts between Europe and Egypt during Late Antiquity.