A few steps far away from the Kom el-Shoqafa plateau, which is one of the most important historical spots in Alex, you will find a giant historical column that appears magically. It stands through the eras highly magically with majestic historical stones. The marvel of history clearly appears once you see this pillar while you are far away.
The amazing view of the Pompey Pillar with its glorious historical view that waves in the horizon of the Alexandrian sky attracts you.
So, you will come close eagerly, and you will find yourself in front of a high column rising up to 27 m, with a diameter at the base reaching 2.7 m. The column tapers to 2.3 m when it rises towards the up.
How have they in the past reached this design? The one-piece cylindrical body, the ornamental capital, and the sizable base of the pillar are all examples of the precision of its sculpture.
Why were they built? And how had the builders raised these heavy rocks of red Aswan granite to this height? You will be surprised once you know that each single rock weighs 285 tons. A complete dazzling will accompany you, especially when focusing on the bricks and stones.
At that moment, you will immerse yourself in your thoughts and wander between the eras of history to uncover the mystery origin of this giant historical column.
Pompey’s Pillar History
You are in front of a group of stones of different shapes, eras, as well as inscriptions with various languages. Some are hieroglyphics, and others are from the Greek language. But the Roman Eras surround you everywhere at the same time!
A flint block bearing the name of King Absmatic, the founder of the 26th Dynasty (663-609 BC).
While you see this great high column, you will notice a block of flint that was set in the foundations with an inscription of hieroglyphs bearing the name of King Seti the First of the 19th Dynasty (1318–1208 BC)!
The name of the pharaonic King Senusret II or III, both from the Twelfth Dynasty, is written in a stone of this column.
Look at the base; you will find a statue made of greenish-black stone, creating a great history also! What about this pharaonic heritage while you are in the heart of the Roman era in front of the Pompey Pillar?!
On the western side of the column, there are two sphinx-like statues made of pink granite dating back to the era of Ptolemy VI. One of them has an inscription of King Horemheb of the Eighteenth Dynasty.
So, when and why had this pillar been built?! Once asking about why this high column was built, you will find the great historical events running around you at this historical spot.
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Why was this huge column built?
A serious revolt had taken place in Alexandria in the second half of the third century by the Roman commander Domitianus, nicknamed Achilles, against the Roman ruler of Egypt during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. So Diocletian came himself, and the siege of the city was lifted after suffering that lasted 8 months.
Which caused famine; that is why the Emperor ordered that a portion of the corn, which was sent to Rome annually, be given to the people of Alexandria.
During this time, he also removed the taxes from the Alexandrian people. Diocletian restored prosperity, peace, and stability to the city in this way.
So, the Alexandrian people had gained the most important and valued historical stones to build this great pillar for thanks, Diocletian. As if they had gained the best they have, their history, to make a pillar touch the sky to announce how they value Diocletian.
But why is Pompey Pillar called by this name, and what about the temple of the god Serapis, “Serapium that surrounds the Pillar and takes you to the Greek times?! Another historical fact and mystery is waiting for you with your Golavita’s Egyptologist.