Memphis under the Ptolemies /

Apart from those on Greek and Roman cities, there have been few intensive studies of individual communities in antiquity. This is such a study and it is a book of utmost importance to all readers interested in ancient civilizations. The city of Memphis had for centuries been the capital of Pharaonic Egypt; following the conquests of Alexander this city took second place to Alexandria. Thompson's concentration on the Hellenistic period provides a penetrating study of all aspects of this city from the time of Alexander to Augustus. The city of Memphis was a multi-ethnic polyglot city inhabitated by Greek-speaking immigrants and numerous ethnic minorities. The author masterfully weds the written textual material and archaeological resources to illumine the economic structure, ethnic relations, and religious syncretism which characterized Egyptian-Greek acculturation. A concluding chapter summarizes the changes that led to the emergence of Roman Memphis. Thompson includes numerous site plans and maps; unfortunately, the number of photos is limited. Five appendixes provide archival data detailing Memphite professions, undertaker records, property settlement and tax records. Essential reading for readers at all levels interested in the nature of the ancient city. -C. C. Lamberg-Karlovsky, Harvard University