Among the ancient remains of Egypt, Pompey's Pillar is the most well known Egyptian
monument that is still standing. Situated on a modest hill near the large Arab
cemetery in the southwest of Egypt, it is a part of Alexandria's ancient treasure.
Originally Pompey's Pillar is associated with the ancient and famous Temple
of Serapis that is no more now. This polished red granite structure is 99 feet
high including the pedestal and is of about three meters in diameter at the
base and two and half meters at the top.
Traditionally considered as the construction of King Theodosius to celebrate
the Christianity's victory over Paganism, Pompey's Pillar, however, was set
up in honor of Diocletian in 292. Earlier it was considered as a magnificent
structure rivaling Soma and the Caesareum.
Pompey's Pillar is called as "Amoud el-Sawari" meaning Column of
the Horseman in Arabic and was the tallest ancient monument of Alexandria. There
are also other ancient ruins near to Pillar of Pompey of Egypt. Among them one
is Alexandria's catacomb known by the name of "Kom al Sukkfa". Located
at a short distance southwest of the Pompey's Pillar, This ancient structure
of Alexandria consists of multi-level labyrinth that are reachable by a series
of large spiral staircase.
These catacombs contain numerous chambers along with sculpted pillars, statues
and other religious symbols of Roman as well as of Egyptian religion, burial
niches and sarcophagi. Pompey's Pillar also features subterranean galleries
as the nearby attractions. These are the ancient galleries where the sacred
Apis bulls were buried along with three sphinxes.
|
