Alexandria Rediscovered [Hardcover]

Jean-Yves Empereur (Author), Stephane Compoint (Photographer), Margaret Maehler (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998

The last ten years have seen some of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries ever made in Alexandria, the legendary Egyptian city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C. Presented here is a full account of these extraordinary finds and of the exciting expeditions that led to their discovery. Located on the northwestern end of the Nile River Delta, Alexandria was the greatest of Hellenistic cities and was a major center of Jewish and Christian culture. Athens' equal and political rival to Rome, Alexandria awed ancient travelers with its wealth, size, and cultural prestige. But unlike Athens and Rome, practically no visible trace of this splendid city remains, and, despite over a hundred years of archaeological efforts, the results have generally been considered meager. Recent excavations, however, have yielded an unexpected wealth of information. Directed by the French archaeologist Jean-Yves Empereur and conducted with the most modern methods, these digs have greatly enriched our knowledge of the art and architecture of Alexandria and of the lives and living conditions of its inhabitants.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[O]n almost every page there is a statement that is astonishing or a photograph that takes your breath away. I have never seen a book that is so beautifully produced and contains such a wealth of remarkable material. -- Los Angeles Times Book Review

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: George Braziller; 1St Edition edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807614424
• ISBN-13: 978-0807614426
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #830,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful picture book, April 28, 2004

By 

Atheen M. Wilson "Atheen" (Mpls, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alexandria Rediscovered (Hardcover)

I haven't been to Alexandria in almost fifteen years, but I remember it as a lovely city on the Mediterranean, though one that partook more of the ambiance of Southern Europe than of the Middle East. The long stretches of sea wall, the pretty beaches-Agami Beach is like fine granulated sugar-and the museums were a delight. Little did I know that under the pavement beneath my feet lay hidden wonderful relics of Ptolemaic Egypt waiting for discovery. At the time I was there the city was a thriving, growing community but had yet to expand even to the full size of the ancient site. There were a few monuments from antiquity-Pompey's Pillar, the Serapeum, etc-most of them misidentified, but most of the site was much more recent.

In Alexandria Rediscovered Jean-Yves Empereur introduces the reader to the newest archaeological finds. Expansion of the modern city and its infrastructure into and beyond the boundaries of the old settlement over the past two decades involved him in emergency excavation projects to reclaim or at least document the finds uncovered by developers. In addition, recent discoveries in the harbor have helped illuminate the Ptolemaic period lighthouse, palaces, and government buildings, including those of the famous Cleopatra. The author, an expert in underwater archeology helped document and reclaim some of the finds.

Complimented by the beautiful photographs of Stephane Compoint, the folio sized book gives the reader an extraordinary view of the new discoveries. My favorites are the incredible illustrations of the catacombs and of the even more fascinating cisterns and underground canals of the city's ancient water system. Considerable document research from the early Islamic and early colonial periods helped to identify some of these sites and to map the extent and workings of the water system.

This is probably not the book for someone looking for detail on Cleopatra or the Ptolemies or on the Greco-Roman era in Egypt. The volume dedicates itself, as it title implies, simply to new archaeological discoveries and touches more on the history of the archaeology of the area than upon the history of its founders. For those who want to know more about the city and its archaeology or for those planning a trip to Alexandria, this would make a very nice starting point for learning more about the area.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rediscovering Alexandria al Iskandareya, July 5, 2008

By 

Nadia Azumi - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alexandria Rediscovered (Hardcover)

I was born in Egypt by Italian Parents, and loved archeology from the moment I understood what archeology was all about.
I used to play at Quit Bey on the jetty were now you need special passes to go fishing.My parents and I loved going there.
I also sailed there in the small harbor and one day with low tides the boat marooned.I jumped and started pushing while the skipper maneuvered the boat. I screamed at one point and told my skipper that I was stepping on a big human head.Everybody thought that I had a sun stroke.I insisted and everybody made fun of me.
Years passed and last year I purchased the book of Mr. Empereur.I loved the way he took the pictures,presented the subjects, and it was not a technical book.It took me through the streets of Alex where I grew up.
Then later in the year I went to Alexandria and met Mr.Empereur.A charming French gentlemen,and an archaeologist with a tremendous knowledge of Alexandria and its history.I told the story of the human head in the small harbor and I later saw it.It was in the Alexandria Museum.
I also visited most of the locations narrated in the book.It is incredible how Mr.Empereur recreated the old Alexandria in this book.
There are certain sections and articles in the book in which we tourist and regular people can no longer visit,Highways have been constructed on top of old remains.
Therefore I suggest and strongly recommend this book for those who love Egyptian Archeology to read this book. It is another part of Egypt that unfortunately has not been advertised as much.
Just keep in mind when you read this book who founded Alexandria.
You will also find pictures of the underwater artifacts in the small harbor.The actual Alexandria is built on several layers of old cities.Greek,Roman,Ottoman.
When there is a permit to demolish or rebuild on certain lots in Alexandria,archaeologist only then can have a look underneath.They have a very short time to dig, remove precious artifacts and then the construction takes place.
The book also has an entire section on the outskirts of Alexandria,which is extremely interesting because it provides the information of a lighthouse at Taposiris Magna were it seems the idea of the Pharos of Alexandria came to be.
There is also an entire article of Lake Mareotis or the now called Lake Marriut,outside of Alexandria.Here in ancient times wine was made,then put in jars.Shipped to Cyprus through the Marriut harbour.
There are also the water cisterns which is becoming one huge project that Mr. Empereur is working on.
You will go back in time with this book and you will wish to go and visit Alexandria sometimes.A beautiful city with so many intellectuals and artists,different cultures and religions.Just as Alexander would have wanted it to be.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Archaeology Rediscovered, May 25, 2003

By 

"diagonowlpost" (Surrey, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alexandria Rediscovered (Hardcover)

Jean-Yves E. is one of the most active archaeologists of our time. He alone understands properly the workings of Old Alexandria and of present Alexandria, if you can call it that now. I give this book the highest marks on content, style, lack of bias, and informativeness, among other good attributes. If you are interested in real archaeology and real adventure and excitment than this book is a must own and read for you.