Ancient History Seminar: Ancient History Seminar: Egypt in Late AntiquityEgypt in Late Antiquity

by Jitse H.F. Dijkstraby Jitse H.F. Dijkstra

Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman

Empire (1776-1788)

M. Rostovtzeff, The Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire (1957, rev. ed.)

A.H.M. Jones, The Later Roman Empire. A Social, Economic and Administrative Survey (1964): still useful narrative survey

Peter Brown, The World of Late Antiquity (1971) > ‘paradigm shift’ since 1980s

- Positive- Late Antiquity a transitional period between Antiquity and Middle Ages- gradual and complex period of cultural change, one of the most profound periods of cultural change in history- ‘Transformation’ instead of ‘decline’- `Longue durée` approach: 200-800 CE- period that has much in common with our time: multiculturalism, religious interactions, shifting frontiers, the origins of Christianity- birth of ‘Late Antique Studies’ as a separate discipline within Classics

Averil Cameron, Averil Cameron, The Later Roman Empire (284-430)/The The Later Roman Empire (284-430)/The Mediterranean World in Late Antiquity (395-600Mediterranean World in Late Antiquity (395-600) (1993; rev. ed. ) (1993; rev. ed. 2012): thematic2012): thematic

Stephen Mitchell, Stephen Mitchell, A History of the Later Roman Empire, AD 284-641A History of the Later Roman Empire, AD 284-641 (2007): best narrative survey of whole period(2007): best narrative survey of whole period

Roman Empire c. 300 (Tetrarchy)

The Tetrarchs,St Mark’s Basilica, Venice

Constantine, Capitol, Rome

Division of Empire in East and West: sons of Theodosius, Arcadius and Honorius

Eastern Roman Empire, ca. 525

Justinian (527-565)

Continuities and Change in Egypt from the Graeco-Roman Period

Queen Hatshepsut Temple (female Pharaoh)

Deir el-Bahri, Egypt (1550 B.C.)

Abu Simbel Temple dedicated to Rameses II

(1279-1213 B.C.) Nubia

Abu Simbel Temple dedicated to Rameses II

(1279-1213 B.C.)

Horus

Osiris and Isis

Periodization Graeco-Roman Periodization Graeco-Roman EgyptEgypt

Ptolemaic Egypt (323-30 BC): Ptolemy I – Roman conquest Ptolemaic Egypt (323-30 BC): Ptolemy I – Roman conquest by Octavianby Octavian

- Egypt, Cyprus, Cyrenaica (Lybia), Thrace, Syria, AnatoliaEgypt, Cyprus, Cyrenaica (Lybia), Thrace, Syria, Anatolia- ‘‘family affair’: Arsinoe II Philadelphosfamily affair’: Arsinoe II Philadelphos- Macedonian descent: Greekness/Hellenisation (Greek names)Macedonian descent: Greekness/Hellenisation (Greek names)- Attitude towards population: continuity (Ptolemy I Soter etc.)Attitude towards population: continuity (Ptolemy I Soter etc.)- Last ‘Pharaoh’ Queen Cleopatra VII, lost Battle of Actium with Mark Antony in 31 BC, Octavian Last ‘Pharaoh’ Queen Cleopatra VII, lost Battle of Actium with Mark Antony in 31 BC, Octavian

conquers Egypt (30 BC)conquers Egypt (30 BC)- Greek status for some cities: Alexandria, Ptolemais, Naukratis, and later AntinoopolisGreek status for some cities: Alexandria, Ptolemais, Naukratis, and later Antinoopolis- Greeks are the main officialsGreeks are the main officials

Roman period (30 BC – AD 284): Octavian (27 Augustus) – Roman period (30 BC – AD 284): Octavian (27 Augustus) – DiocletianDiocletian

- continuity: Augustus also ‘Pharaoh’, plus building projects; reform of coinage and calendarcontinuity: Augustus also ‘Pharaoh’, plus building projects; reform of coinage and calendar- Special position as ‘grain basket’ of Rome; no officials of senatorial class, prefectSpecial position as ‘grain basket’ of Rome; no officials of senatorial class, prefect- Main officials: Roman; Greek administrative system retained (continuity); from ca. 202 (Septimius Main officials: Roman; Greek administrative system retained (continuity); from ca. 202 (Septimius

Severus) all nome capitals city status, Severus) all nome capitals city status, poleispoleis- Control over temples and temple landControl over temples and temple land- Idios Logos (Special Account): who is Roman citizen, who has Greek or Egyptian statusIdios Logos (Special Account): who is Roman citizen, who has Greek or Egyptian status- Not many emperors visited Egypt, but Hadrian did in 129-30Not many emperors visited Egypt, but Hadrian did in 129-30- Third Century: instability conquest of Egypt by Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra (270-2)Third Century: instability conquest of Egypt by Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra (270-2)

Augustus as Pharaoh, temple of Mandulis at Kalabsha

SourcesSources

Archaeology/material remainsArchaeology/material remains Epigraphy/inscriptionsEpigraphy/inscriptions Literary worksLiterary works Papyri!Papyri!

Limitations:Limitations:- Most evidence in Delta has disappearedMost evidence in Delta has disappeared- Course of Nile has changedCourse of Nile has changed

Time and PlaceTime and Place

Egypt in Late Antiquity:Egypt in Late Antiquity:

284-642284-642

(Bagnall stops in middle of V)(Bagnall stops in middle of V)

Place:Place:

Especially the countryside (Especially the countryside (chorachora) ) outside of Alexandriaoutside of Alexandria