Pompey Pillar

Its name is misleading. This single column standing on a rocky hilltop in the middle of Alexandria has nothing to do with the Roman Consul and General Gaius Pompey who was Julius Caesar’s rival in a civil war and was murdered by a Ptolomaic pharaoh in 48 BC when he fled to Alexandria.

This legend was started by Crusaders, who thought the 100-foot (30 meter) red Aswan granite pillar marked his burial site. The pillar is instead the a triumphal monument erected around 300 AD for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, but the true significance of this archeological site is what stood here before the pillar.
It is the site of the Serapeum, Alexandria’s acropolis.

In the first centuries AD, Christianity was introduced to Egypt and Alexandira developed into its stronghold. Gradually, Christianity became the dominant religion in Egypt, relegating adherents to the ancient traditions and pagan gods an irrelevant minority that became increasingly unpopular.

The Serapeum, dedicated to Alexandria’s patron god, Serapis, was a symbol of this ancient tradition, which conflicted with the increasingly popular ideas of Christianity.In 391 AD, patriarch Theophilus, leader of the Church of Alexandria, led a Christian mob to destroy the Serapeum and other symbols of paganism in the city. Some accounts even blame this mob for the destruction of the Great Library of Alexandria, although this is disputed.

Today the only single column marks the site of what was once a huge and elaborate temple, which was constructed of marble and decorated with precious metals on the interior. Some of the tunnels around the complex remain and are open for tourists to explore and some of the artifacts from the temple have been recovered. A life-size black basalt bull from the temple and a golden plaque marking the foundation of the Serapis are on display in the Greco-Roman Museum.

 

Suggested Tours

Duration: 12 hours

Safaga Shore Excursions Tours: One day tour Safaga to Luxor Visiting the Highlights of luxor West and East Bank that includes a visit to Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsute Te

Duration: 2 Days

Safaga Shore Excursions: Overnight trip to Luxor from Safaga port visiting Luxor Temple, Karnak temples and Valley of the Kings and more. You are going to have a private to

Duration: 2 Days

Safaga Shore Excursions: Private tours from Safaga Port Visiting Cairo and luxor for 2 Days 1 night visiting Giza Pyramids in cairo ,Luxor Temple,Valley of Kings and Coloss

Duration: 12 hours

Enjoy Cairo To Alexandria Day Trip, Visiting rock-cut Roman catacombs, the ruins of a Roman temple complex, and Qaitbey Citadel. Visit the old Bibleotheca Alexandrina and e

Duration: 3 hours

Waft along the fabled River Nile in time-honored Egyptian style on a private 60-minute 'felucca' boat ride in Cairo. Settle aboard a comfortable, white-sailed '

Why travel with Luxor and Aswan Travel?

100% Tailor made

Your entire vacation is designed around your requirements

Explore your interests at your own speed

Select your preferred style of accommodations

Create the perfect trip with the help of our specialists

Expert knowledge

All our specialists have traveled extensively or lived in their specialist regions, We're with you every step of the way

The same specialist will handle your trip from start to finish

Make the most of your time and budget

The best guides

Make the difference between a good trip and an outstanding one

Our leaders will be there to ensure your safety and wellbeing is the number one priority.

Offering more than just dates and names, they strive to offer real insight into their country

Fully protected

24/7 emergency support while abroad

Secure Payment
Use your debit card or credit card. Your transactions are protected by 3D Secure and SecureCode.

Cybersource Flag

Our travel experts are on hand to help!

Get in touch!