Egyptian cultural identity in the architecture of Roman Egypt (30 BC-AD 325)
This thesis explores the complexity and fluidity of Egyptian cultural identity in architectural form in Roman Egypt. It covers the period from the Roman conquest in 30 BC to the official recognition of Christianity in AD 325. The thesis focuses on the relationship between architectural form and layers of identity assertion. Special consideration is given to the issue of continuities and changes in Egyptian cultural traditions. Through explorations of arrangement and use of urban space and public buildings, Chapter I addresses the diversity of architecture as evidence for the complexity and permeability of cultural markers of identity, with special focus on the use of temples as centres of local identity. Being a self-evident symbol of traditional temples, Chapter II suggests that the pylon offers a good example of the complexity of identity and the dynamic nature of cultural traditions in the Roman period. Although the pylon appears on the Palestrina mosaic and classical literature on Egypt as a clicheÌ of ancient Egyptian culture, it was not necessarily a marker of those legally defined as Egyptians. The third chapter focuses on different forms of rituals activities performed within or around the domestic
Abdelwahed, Youssri Ezzat Hussein
Egyptian cultural identity in the architecture of Roman Egypt (30 BC-AD 325). This thesis explores the complexity and fluidity of Egyptian cultural identity in architectural form in Roman Egypt. It covers the period from the Roman conquest in 30 BC to the official recognition of Christianity in AD 325. The thesis focuses on the relationship between architectural form and layers of identity assertion. Special consideration is given to the issue of continuities and changes in Egyptian cultural traditions. Through explorations of arrangement and use of urban space and public buildings, Chapter I addresses the diversity of architecture as evidence for the complexity and permeability of cultural markers of identity, with special focus on the use of temples as centres of local identity. Being a self-evident symbol of traditional temples, Chapter II suggests that the pylon offers a good example of the complexity of identity and the dynamic nature of cultural traditions in the Roman period. Although the pylon appears on the Palestrina mosaic and classical literature on Egypt as a clicheÌ of ancient Egyptian culture, it was not necessarily a marker of those legally defined as Egyptians. The third chapter focuses on different forms of rituals activities performed within or around the domestic
egyptian cultural identity architecture roman_egypt explores_complexity fluidity egyptian cultural identity architectural_form roman_egypt cover_period roman_conquest official recognition christianity focus relationship architectural_form layer identity assertion special consideration_give issue continuity_change egyptian cultural tradition exploration arrangement use urban_space public_building address diversity architecture evidence complexity cultural_marker identity special focus use temples centre local_identity self evident symbol traditional temple suggest offer good example complexity identity dynamic nature cultural_tradition roman_period although appear mosaic classical_literature egypt ancient_egyptian culture necessarily marker legally define egyptians third focus different_form ritual_activity perform within around domestic