Late, Ptolemaic, and Roman Periods

Egyptian artistic traditions persisted throughout the Late, Ptolemaic, and Roman Periods.

c. 713 B.C.E.–395 C.E.

Beginner's Guide

What are the Late, Ptolemaic, and Roman Periods?

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The Temple of Dendur
The Temple of Dendur

An ancient Egyptian temple plus the Roman Emperor Augustus—all on Fifth Avenue in New York City!

Pylon of the Nubian Lion Temple at Naga
Pylon of the Nubian Lion Temple at Naga

The pylon of the Lion Temple in Naga projects an image of husband and wife reigning as equals, a common feature of Nubian governance.

Mummy of Herakleides<br>Getty conversations
Mummy of Herakleides
Getty conversations

During ancient Egypt’s last dynasty, a massive cultural exchange occurred between Greeks and Egyptians.

Late Period and the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods, an introduction
Late Period and the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods, an introduction

An introduction to the Late Period, and Ptolemaic and Roman Periods in ancient Egypt

Meet an Ushabti, an Ancient Egyptian Statuette Made for the Afterlife
Meet an Ushabti, an Ancient Egyptian Statuette Made for the Afterlife

Part of the inscription on this ushabti says: “If there is any work to be done there in the Divine Hereafter, or if there is an obstacle there, you say as a man in his duty, ‘Look, I am here!”

Decoding the Rosetta Stone
Decoding the Rosetta Stone

What does the Rosetta Stone say? Why is it written in three scripts and two languages?

Multilingualism along the Nile
Multilingualism along the Nile

When we think of the language of ancient Egypt, the first thing that springs to mind is hieroglyphs carved on temple and tomb walls, yet this could not be further from the truth.

Egyptian mummy portraits
Egyptian mummy portraits

Ancient Egyptians made little use of naturalistic portraits, but this changed following capture by Rome.

Faiyum mummy portraits
Faiyum mummy portraits

These mummy portraits are unlike anything from ancient Egypt, combining Roman naturalism with Egyptian function.

The Rosetta Stone
The Rosetta Stone

The key to ancient Egyptian language, the Rosetta Stone allowed scholars to unlock the secret of hieroglyphs.

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