The Greco Roman culture played a significant rule in forming Egypt's ancient history. The Roman invasions started step by step in a time Egyptians and Romans were the dominating forces in the world. Alexandria city were founded by Alexander the great in 332 B.C when he conquered Egypt and declared himself a pharaoh chosen by Egyptian deities. From this moment the Greco Roman culture started to sneak into the Egyptian's introducing culture fusion. The Greeks were very influenced by the Egyptians and their traditions, Greeks rulers named themselves pharaohs, adopted Egyptian Names and worshipped Egyptian gods. They founded the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt which was the last Egyptian pharaonic dynasty to rule, merged with Greek bloodline. After the death of Queen Cleopatra who was the last pharaoh to rule, the Romans took over Egypt and started their own period in 30 B.C.

Greco Roman culture in Egypt

 Macedonian kings followed by Greek kings and Roman Emperors left their figure print on the land of gods, Egypt, by constructing monumental sites that reflect both of the ancient Egyptian style and Greco Roman identity. Dendera temple, Philae temple, catacombs of kom El shoqafa and Pompey's pillar are some of Egypt's top highlights that were built in Greco Roman period. These attractions are distributed to the main cities of Egypt. Check Aswan day tours or Nile river cruise to visit Philae temple, but if you want the biggest share of the culture overview of Greco Roman in Egypt, you have to go to Alexandria. Travel to Egypt Company realizes that a huge class of clients looking for historical ancient sightseeing, that’s why we have operated a wide range of day tours in the main capitals that include top archaeological sites. All the Greco Roman monuments of the Roman theatres, Alexandria library, the Greco Roman museum and Pompey's pillar are included in Alexandria day tours.    

Alexandria Pompey's pillar

One of the remarkable structures that was built during the reign of (emperor Diocletian ) in Egypt is Pompey's pillar. The column is now standing in the heart of Alexandria on top of a temple ruin's which was built during the Ptolemaic kingdom in 297 AD. The pillar's base diameter is 2.71 Meter, and was carved out of red granite brought from Aswan city. The net weight of the pillar is 285 ton and reaches 26 meter high with the base. The prime sight was built to commemorate the victory of Emperor Diocletian over an Alexandrian revolt.

Pompey's pillar name

The pillar which was erected in honor of Diocletian has been given the name of Alexandria Pompey's pillar which makes no sense or show connection to any facts. There were stories told about the given name which assign the pillar to the Roman general Pompey who was murdered by Cleopatra's brother. Some said the crusaders from the middle ages thought that the general's ashes were inside a pot on top of the pillar, but that was proven a mistake