Tour Pompeys Pillar Alexandria
Who is Pompey?
Who is Pompey, and why does he have a pillar in Alexandria? Interestingly, the naming of Pompeys Pillar in Alexandria, Egypt is a mistake. Historians now know that the pillar was placed in honor of Diocletian, a Roman Emperor who reclaimed Alexandria after a rebellion in the year 298.
Regardless of its mistaken identity, Pompey’s Pillar is one of the most frequently visited attractions within the ancient city, and is also the tallest ancient monument remaining.
The pillar itself is the only remaining sign of an ancient temple colonnade marking the location of the Serapeum. When Paganism was to be eradicated from the city by the Christians in the fourth century, the vast structure was destroyed with the exception of the single column.
Today it stands atop the city’s acropolis, a nearly four hundred ton piece of red Aswan granite.
Nearby are some remaining sphinx statuary and beneath Pompey’s Pillar are the underground chambers and remains of the followers of Serapis, including some storage areas where it is believed the contents of the famous Library of Alexandria may have been stored.
The Serapeum
It is a good idea to know a bit about the Serapeum before making a visit to the site, as envisioning the enormous structure with its one hundred steps leading up to the colonnade lined with equally impressive pillars will make for a truly moving experience.
Pompey’s Pillar stands alone now, but it was once flanked by many similar neighbors and it somehow withstood the destructive forces of many centuries.
Within the Serapeum would have been legions of religious texts and papyrus as well as the galleries where the many generations of Apis bulls resided. In fact, excavations have discovered three of the bulls remains.
Many visitors take in the enormous Arab cemetery when making a visit to the lovely site of Pompey’s Pillar.
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