How did the ruling elite of Alexandria portray their palaces and temples observable from the waters to those arriving in the Portus Magnus? And how did this monumental biography change across the Ptolemaic into the Roman period?
Discussions of the Pharos of Alexandria often centre on its role guiding ships to the great Portus Magnus from far out to sea and of it being a symbol of Ptolemaic wealth and power. Once in the harbour, however, the view of the city that vessels were confronted with is seldom discussed.
Using evidence provided by the excavations undertaken by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), Prof. Damian Robinson shows how Alexandria’s monumental biography changes to reflect the aspirations of its rulers across the Ptolemaic and into the Roman period and how the meanings attached to some of its buildings, notably the visual axis comprisong of the Royal Palace and Iseum on Antirhodos Island and the Caesarium, flex in line with changing attitudes and aspirations, while others such as the Pharos and the temple of Poseidon remain more constant in their messaging. The lighthouse was thus just one compontent of a much larger monumental biography with the view from the sea a complex facade replete with changing meaning.
