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Pompeys Pillar
Pompeys Pillar | Egypt Tour Packages
Pompey's pillar national monument
What is Pompey's Pillar?
It is a Roman triumphal column in
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
, however, its name is misleading.This single column standing on a rocky hilltop in the middle of
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
has nothing to do with the Roman Consul and General Gaius Pompey who was Julius Caesar’s rival in a civil war and was murdered by a Ptolomaic pharaoh in 48 BC when he fled to
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
. This legend was started by Crusaders, who thought the 100-foot (30 meter) red Aswan
granite pillar marked his burial site. The pillar is instead the a triumphal monument erected around 300 AD for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, but the true significance of this archeological site is what stood here before the pillar. It is the site of the Serapeum,
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
’s acropolis.In the first centuries AD, Christianity was introduced to Egypt and Alexandira developed into its stronghold.Gradually, Christianity became the dominant religion in Egypt, relegating adherents to the ancient traditions and pagan gods an irrelevant minority that became increasingly unpopular.The Serapeum, dedicated to
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
’s patron god, Serapis, was a symbol of this ancient tradition, which conflicted with the increasingly popular ideas of Christianity.In 391 AD, patriarch Theophilus, leader of the Church of
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
, led a Christian mob to destroy the Serapeum and other symbols of paganism in the city. Some accounts even blame this mob for the destruction of the Great Library of
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
, although this is disputed.Today the only single column marks the site of what was once a huge and elaborate temple, which was constructed of marble and decorated with precious metals on the interior. Some of the tunnels around the complex remain and are open for tourists to explore and some of the artifacts from the temple have been recovered. A life-size black basalt bull from the temple and a golden plaque marking the foundation of the Serapis are on display in the
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
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The Graeco-Roman Museum is an archaeological museum in
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
, Egypt. Erected in 1892,The museum contains several pieces dating from the Graeco-Roman Greco-Roman Museum
.
Pompey's pillar
The site Pompey's pillar
The Suwari Column is located in the city of
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
, Egypt, and is considered one of the most famous archaeological monuments there.It was built on top of Bab Sidra Hill, between the current Muslim burial area, known as the Column Cemetery, and the archaeological plateau of Kom el-Shuqafa.
Pompey's pillar photos
This column was built for Emperor Diocletian in the third century AD. It is the last remaining relic of the Serapeum Temple built by Postumus.The exact date of the construction of this column has not been determined, but it dates back to the Roman era, and it was said that this column was given as a gift to Christianity after its victory in
Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, has many reasons to be famous. Alexandria
over Maryam in the Battle of Qamis.
Alexandria pompey's pillar
The name of the column dates back to the Arab era, as it is believed that it came as a result of the towering height of this column among 400 other columns, which resemble ship masts. Therefore, the Arabs called it the mast column, which was later distorted into masts.Since the Crusades, the Pillar Column has been mistakenly known as the Pompey Column. This error is due to the fact that some Europeans thought that it was the head of the Roman leader Pompey, who fled to Egypt to escape Julius Caesar and was killed in Egypt. They thought that his head had been placed in a valuable funerary urn and placed on top of the column.
Pompey's pillar Alexandria Egypt
The description of the column:
Its length reaches about 27 meters.The body of the column is one piece.On the western side of the column there are two bases that can be reached by an underground ladder. There are also two statues similar to the
the Great Sphinx is one of the world's largest monuments. It is also one of the most recognizable relics of the ancient Egyptians. Sphinx
made of pink granite. They date back to the era of Ptolemy VI. On one of them is an inscription of King Horemheb of the 18th Dynasty.
Also in Alexandria
Roman Theatera
Roman Theater is located in Kom El-Dikka, which is one of the historical areas of Alexandria and currently belongs to the central Alexandria neighborhood.
Greco Roman Museum
The Graeco-Roman Museum is an archaeological museum in Alexandria, Egypt. Erected in 1892,The museum contains several pieces dating from the Graeco-Roman
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa is one of the most historically important archeological sites in Alexandria Learn about the catacombs here.
Citadel of Qaitbay
citadel of Qaitbay located in the island of pharos in Alexandria city was built on the old lighthouse location after it was destroyed by the earthquake.
Shatby Alexandria
The necropolis of the Tombs of Al-Shatby is located in Shatby Station in Alexandria.The necropolis was accidentally discovered in 1893.
