Author Description

The thousand years from Alexander to the Arab conquest in A.D. 641 are rich in archaeological interest and well documented by 50,000 papyri in Greek, Egyptian, Latin and other languages. But travelers and others interested in the remains of this period are ill-served by most guides to Egypt, which concentrate on the pharaonic buildings. This book redresses the balance, with clear and concise descriptions related to documents and historical background that enable us to appreciate the cities, temples, tombs, villages, churches and monasteries of the Hellenistic, Roman and Late Antique periods. Written by a dozen leading specialists and reflecting the latest discoveries and research, it provides an expert visitor's guide to the principal sites, many off the well-worn tourist paths. It also offers a picture of Egyptian society at differing economic and social levels. With a historical introduction, room-by-room tours of museums, specially commissioned plans of sites and buildings and over 100 other color and black-and-white illustrations, this book is a practical on-the-spot companion and armchair guide, bringing to life the splendors and curiosities of a little-known civilization.