history

Egypt and the Byzantine World

/ MAES Administrator

This Monday we explore part of Egyptian history that is often neglected! Long after the last of the pharaohs, what happened to Egypt when the Roman empire divided? Michael Tunnicliffe has the answers! Zoom lecture – all welcome. Doors open 19:45 GMT+1 (slightly later as we have an AGM for members only at 19:15). Free to MAES members (you’ll be sent the link via email) and guests can book via Eventbrite!

10 June  ZOOM Michael Tunnicliffe

Egypt and the Byzantine World

In 395 the Roman Empire split into two, with Egypt firmly part of the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire Christianity was now the official religion and as the last pagan temples were closed churches and monasteries rose in their place. But in the 5th and 6th centuries Egyptian personalities would be at the heart of the controversies that rocked the Byzantine world. Eventually a distinctive form of Egyptian Christianity would emerge in the form of the Coptic Church. Then in the mid-7th century the new religion of Islam erupted onto the scene and Egypt was ripe for conquest. This presentation will give an overview of these, often neglected 250 years.

Michael Tunnicliffe studied Theology at Birmingham and Cambridge and completed the Certificate in Egyptology at Manchester. He is a member of MAES and served on the Committee for 6 years. He teaches a variety of courses face to face in the North West and by Zoom for a number of Adult Education providers.

AMARNA ZOOM STUDY DAY 23 MARCH

/ MAES Administrator

Saturday 23rd March 9:30am – 3:45pm (GMT)

Tickets are now available for our Amarna online study day at £19 for MAES members (via booking form which is emailed to you) and for GUESTS (£30 via Eventbrite).

The second half of the14th century BC saw one of the most remarkable periods in Egyptian history – the so-called ‘Amarna Period’ and its aftermath. Over less than two decades, one man upended millennia of tradition in religion and art only to have his revolution reversed within perhaps weeks of his death. An ensuing ‘counter-reformation’ nominally returned matters to normal, yet actually re-set the Egyptian state for the coming centuries.

Professor Aidan Dodson will present two lectures giving an overview of the history of this period, from the reign of Amenhotep III down to the accession of Rameses I; Dr Anna Stevens, assistant director of the Amarna Project, will present the results of the 2022 season, held at the North Desert Cemetery, one of the most unexpectedly diverse of the Amarna cemeteries; and Paul Docherty will showcase 3D reconstructions of the temple and the early 3D reconstructions of the central city area.

We look forward to seeing you!