The Pompey pillar is a Roman ruin still standing in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, and it is one of the oldest and tallest memorial pillars in the world. In this article, we’ll learn everything there is to know about this old thing.
What is the Pompey pillar?
The Pompey Column is a large column made of granite dating back to Roman times, and it is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Alexandria. This Column is part of the ruins of a substantial Roman building in Alexandria many years ago.
It was built on the Bab Sidra hill between the Amud tombs, an Islamic cemetery, and the ancient plateau of Kom El Shoqafa. It is made of red granite and is about 27 meters long.
Pompeii Column Location:
Pompey’s Column is located in the western part of Alexandria, near the tombs of Kom el Shoqafa and other archaeological sites.
The name of the Column in Arabic is:
You can reach the Mastari pole by taxi or other local transportation. However, tourists should always book their trips to Egypt through official travel agencies to have a good time there.
History of the Pompey pillar:
Pompeii’s Column is one of the few remaining parts of the Serapeum, an ancient Roman building. This temple was built to honor the god Serapis, and it was made at the end of the third century BC when Ptolemy I was king.
One of the most exciting things about Serapis is that it was created by combining Egyptian gods such as Osiris and monkeys, the sacred bull, with Greek gods such as Zeus and Dionysus.
In the time of the Ptolemies, the western part of Alexandria was called Rhakotis. It was the place where the bulls of the god Apis were buried, as they were believed to be reincarnations of Apis.
In the ruins of the Serapeum, a hidden chamber was found where a statue of the god Apis was found. The figure is now on display in the Greco-Roman Museum. This discovery shows that the worship of the god Apis has been going on since the era of the Old Kingdom.
During the time of Ptolemy III, at the beginning of the second century BC, a new temple was built to replace the one that existed before.
The exciting thing about the Pilar is that its name, which comes from the Roman politician and military leader Pompey, who lived in the first century BC, cannot be associated with the ship.
Some theories say that Pompey fled Rome because he feared Julius Caesar. Once in Egypt, the Egyptians killed him, put his head in a jar, and placed it on a pillar. But there is no evidence for any of these theories to support them.
Most historians agree that this monument was erected in honor of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 298 AD. The note on the west side of the base of the shaft proves this.
Pompey’s Column is described as follows:
Pompey’s Pillar is a historic site with a large park on a hill with many interesting artifacts. The Column itself is the most important building.
It is made of a piece of red granite and is 20.75 meters high and 2.70 meters wide at its base. When the bottom and top are added together, the Column is 27 meters high.
On each side of the Column are two beautiful red granite sphinxes. Experts say it was built when Ptolemy VI Philopator, who ruled Egypt from 186 to 145 BC, was in power. The two statues were found in 1906 and look great on the shaft.
Along with the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Roman Amphitheater, and the Library of Alexandria, Pompey’s Column is one of the must-see landmarks in Alexandria.
