Egypt

Antinoöpolis

Roman-Hellenic city in Upper Egypt

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Historical Context

About

Antinoöpolis (also Antinoopolis, Antinoë, Antinopolis; Ancient Greek: Ἀντινόουπόλις; Coptic: ⲁⲛⲧⲓⲛⲱⲟⲩ Antinow; Arabic: انصنا, romanized: Ansinā, modern Arabic: الشيخ عبادة, modern Sheikh 'Ibada or Sheik Abāda) was a city founded at an older Egyptian village by the Roman emperor Hadrian to commemorate his deified young beloved, Antinoüs, on the east bank of the Nile, not far from the site in Upper Egypt where Antinoüs drowned in 130 AD. Antinoöpolis was a little to the south of the Egyptian village of Besa (Βῆσσα), named after the god and oracle of Bes. Antinoöpolis was built at the foot of the hill upon which Besa was seated. The city is located nearly opposite of Hermopolis Magna and was connected to Berenice Troglodytica by the Via Hadriana.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Foundation of Antinoöpolis

AD 130

Antinoeia instituted

Spring AD 131

Portico inscription

235 AD

Administrative reorganization under Diocletian

286 AD

Christian prominence and local scholars

4th century

Abandonment

10th century

Early modern travellers record ruins

1715

Widespread 19th-century destruction

19th century

Excavations and textile finds

1913–1914

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

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Water Management Features

WellsCisterns
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Public and Civic Structures

TheatresHippodromesCircusesTriumphal ArchesPorticoesAdministrative Buildings
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Burial and Funerary Structures

TombsCemeteriesGraves
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Religious and Ritual Structures

TemplesChurchesAltars
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Artistic and Decorative Features

StatuesInscriptionsColumnsMonuments
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

CitiesHousesTowns
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Environmental and Natural Features

Modified CavesRock Shelters
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Transportation and Communication Structures

RoadsTrackways
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Reference

Details

Country

Egypt

Coordinates

27.81° N, 30.88° E