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30 - Alexandria

from Part III - Urbanism and the Countryside

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2025

Leonard V. Rutgers
Affiliation:
Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands
Neil Christie
Affiliation:
University of Leicester
Robin M. Jensen
Affiliation:
University of Notre Dame, Indiana
Jodi Magness
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
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Summary

This chapter examines the urban development of Alexandria in Late Antiquity, tracing its transformation from a Hellenistic metropolis into a vital centre of Roman and Byzantine administration, commerce and religion. It analyses architectural and archaeological evidence to explore how the city’s infrastructure evolved in response to political shifts and economic changes. Particular attention is given to Alexandria’s grid-plan layout, monumental public buildings and role as a Mediterranean trade hub. The chapter outlines key construction phases, including Ptolemaic urban planning, Roman imperial projects and late antique renovations. Excavations at Kom el-Dikka provide crucial insights into the city’s residential, commercial and academic landscapes, revealing lecture halls, baths and artisanal workshops. This study also examines the impact of religious transformation, documenting the conversion of pagan temples into Christian churches and the rise of new ecclesiastical structures. Further emphasising Alexandria’s role as a major intellectual centre, the study highlights its famous auditoria and the persistence of scholarly activity even after the decline of its classical library tradition. Despite the challenges posed by modern urban expansion, ongoing excavations continue to refine our understanding of Alexandria’s resilience and adaptability in Late Antiquity.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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  • Alexandria
  • Edited by Leonard V. Rutgers, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands, Neil Christie, University of Leicester, Robin M. Jensen, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, Jodi Magness, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • Book: The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Late Antique Art and Archaeology
  • Online publication: 04 July 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009535113.003
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  • Alexandria
  • Edited by Leonard V. Rutgers, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands, Neil Christie, University of Leicester, Robin M. Jensen, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, Jodi Magness, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • Book: The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Late Antique Art and Archaeology
  • Online publication: 04 July 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009535113.003
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Alexandria
  • Edited by Leonard V. Rutgers, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands, Neil Christie, University of Leicester, Robin M. Jensen, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, Jodi Magness, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • Book: The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Late Antique Art and Archaeology
  • Online publication: 04 July 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009535113.003
Available formats
×