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Follow Egypt from Augustus and the granary of Rome through Christianity, desert monasticism, and the Coptic schism to the Persian occupation and the Arab conquest.

Use the timeline below to navigate through major events and milestones.

Roman & Byzantine Egypt · 30 BCE–641 CE
Aegyptus

Roman & Byzantine Egypt

From Augustus' annexation of Egypt as the granary of Rome through the coming of Christianity and the learning of Alexandria, the Era of Martyrs and the birth of desert monasticism, the destruction of the Serapeum and the murder of Hypatia, the Coptic schism after Chalcedon and the Persian occupation, to the Arab conquest and the fall of Alexandria in 641 CE. Slide across nearly seven centuries in which Egypt became Christian and Coptic before passing to Islam.

30 BC
Roman Province
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In the year of Our Lord

30 BC

Roman Province
  • Political

    Augustus annexes Egypt

    After the death of Cleopatra, Octavian makes Egypt his personal domain, a uniquely governed province and the indispensable granary of Rome.

10 milestones
Full Chronicle

Roman & Byzantine Egypt

From Augustus' annexation of Egypt as the granary of Rome through the coming of Christianity and the learning of Alexandria, the Era of Martyrs and the birth of desert monasticism, the destruction of the Serapeum and the murder of Hypatia, the Coptic schism after Chalcedon and the Persian occupation, to the Arab conquest and the fall of Alexandria in 641 CE. Slide across nearly seven centuries in which Egypt became Christian and Coptic before passing to Islam.

  1. Roman Province

    • Augustus annexes Egypt

      After the death of Cleopatra, Octavian makes Egypt his personal domain, a uniquely governed province and the indispensable granary of Rome.

  2. The Coming of Christianity

    • Saint Mark and the Church of Alexandria

      By tradition the Evangelist Mark brings Christianity to Alexandria, founding one of the oldest churches in the world and the seat of the future Coptic patriarchate.

  3. Alexandrian Learning

    • The Catechetical School of Alexandria

      Scholars such as Clement and Origen make Alexandria the intellectual capital of early Christianity, fusing Greek philosophy with Christian theology.

  4. The Era of Martyrs

    • The Great Persecution

      Diocletian's persecution falls with terrible force on Egypt's Christians; so many die that the Coptic Church dates its calendar from his reign as the Era of Martyrs.

  5. The Desert Fathers

    • The birth of Christian monasticism

      In the Egyptian desert, Saint Anthony's solitary life and Saint Pachomius' communal rule give birth to monasticism, which spreads across the Christian world.

  6. Christian Triumph

    • The destruction of the Serapeum

      Following the anti-pagan edicts of Theodosius, the patriarch Theophilus leads the destruction of the great temple of Serapis, the proud symbol of pagan Alexandria.

  7. Christian Triumph

    • The murder of Hypatia

      The renowned philosopher and mathematician Hypatia is murdered by a Christian mob in Alexandria, an act long remembered as a symbol of the eclipse of classical learning.

  8. The Coptic Church

    • The Council of Chalcedon and the schism

      The Council of Chalcedon's definition of Christ's two natures is rejected by most Egyptians, splitting the Coptic Church from the imperial Church of Constantinople.

  9. Persian Occupation

    • The Sasanian conquest of Egypt

      Armies of the Persian king Khosrow II overrun Egypt, holding it for a decade until the emperor Heraclius wins it back for Byzantium.

  10. The Arab Conquest

    • The fall of Alexandria

      The Arab general Amr ibn al-As conquers Egypt for the Caliphate and takes Alexandria, ending nearly seven centuries of Roman and Byzantine rule.