More than a lexicon: Uncovering evidence of the events on the Rosetta Stone

Summary

The Rosetta Stone is one of the most famous inscriptions in the world, yet few could actually tell you about its content. The topics on the stone relate to the reign of Ptolemy V and provide critical insight into the nature of Hellenism, imperial structure, indigenous relations, ideological assimilation, and process and consequences of the Great Rebellion of 204-185 BCE against Macedonian rule. While textual references to the rebellion abound there have been few archaeological correlates. At Tell Timai (ancient Thmuis) we have evidence suggesting that the violence of the Great Rebellion had profound repercussions shaping the local and long-term nature of Greek imperial strategy. Archaeological data suggests that Thmuis, a tributary town of the adjacent regional capital of Mendes, was subject to significant violence during the period of the Great Rebellion. IN the aftermath of the violence there was a period of rebuilding and the usurpation of the political and economic dominance of Mendes resulting in the shift of the nomarchy from Mendes to Thmuis and a transition of the primary administrative organization from the theocratic temple complex to a Greek poleis.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage