Taposiris Magna.

Taposiris Magna

Gyozo Oros

Egyptian Excavation Society of Hungary

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"Taposiris Magna: A Temple, Fortress, And Monastery of Egypt" by Gyozo Voros is a profusely and superbly illustrated history of archaeological discoveries conducted on the coastal acropolis of Taposiris Magna which is located some 45 km west of Alexandria on Egypt's northern coast. Founded by Ptolemy Philadelphos II in the early third century BCE, the site was the subject of Hungarian archaeological excavations and studies between 1998 and 2004 under the leadership of respected archaeologist Gyozo Voros. Within the Egyptian-style pylons and enclosed walls, the archaeological excavations uncovered the foundations of a Greek-style sanctuary--making Taposiris Magna the only Greek temple found in Egypt so far. The sanctuary was deliberately dismantled in the Roman period in order to transform the temple into a garrisoned fortress. Columns from the sanctuary were used to heighten the enclosure walls for the Roman garrison. At the end of the fourth century a Christian basilica was constructed inside the fortress complex and the once Greek temple now became a monastery. From a beautiful basalt statue of Isis, to a cache of Roman bronze cultic paraphernalia, to a hoard of Byzantine gold coins and jewelry, the archaeological discoveries and data have been nothing short of amazing. A work of beautifully illustrated and meticulous scholarship, "Taposiris Magna" is an impressive and strongly recommended addition to university library Archaeological Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.