An authoritative and multidisciplinary Companion to Egypt during the Greco-Roman and Late Antique period, this volume offers a comprehensive resource that covers almost 1000 years of Egyptian history, starting with the liberation of Egypt from Persian rule by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and ending in AD 642 when Arab rule began. With contributions from noted authorities in the field, the book takes a largely sociological perspective and includes sections on life portraits at the end of each part. The theme of identity in a multicultural environment and a chapter on the quality of life of Egypt’s inhabitants clearly illustrate this objective. Authors emphasize changes that occurred during the Greco-Roman and Late Antique periods, as illustrated by topics such as traditional religious life being challenged, governing a country with a past: between tradition and innovation, and creative minds in theory and praxis. This important resource discusses how Egypt became part of a globalizing world in Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine times, explores notable innovations by the Ptolemies and Romans, and focuses on the longue durée development.
