The research project Festivals and Society in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt (FWF
10.55776/RIC 7796923, 2024–2028, Principal Investigator Dr. Elena Chepel) focuses on festivals in
Graeco-Roman Egypt and their implications for the political and socio-cultural fabric of the region
from 3rd BCE to 4th CE.
Egypt during the Hellenistic and Roman periods presents an extraordinary potential to explore the
intersection of macro-historical forces with everyday social and economic life, thanks to the richness
of historical evidence, notably an abundance of papyrus documents that serve as invaluable historical
sources. During this era, Egypt bore witness to profound societal transformations across all strata, and
festivals emerge as pivotal indicators and catalysts of change, offering a lens through which to
decipher the intricate construction of society. The significance of this research transcends the
boundaries of academia; it unveils insights into the dynamics of multicultural societies, the evolution
of religious practices, and the enduring importance of festivals as public events for nurturing
communal identities.
Main research questions include:
– How did the ‘Ptolemaic festival culture’ take shape in Hellenistic Egypt and what elements
contributed to its unique character?
– What roles did festivals assume in the shaping of cultural, religious, and social identities
within the changing society? In particular, how did festivals mirror the multicultural mosaic
of Egypt and contribute to the interplay and fusion of diverse cultural and social practices?
– To what extent did festivals function as potent tools for political propaganda, legitimation,
diplomatic outreach, and the establishment of international networks on behalf of Egypt’s
rulers?
– How did festivals evolve over the centuries and what continuities and transformations can be
discerned within this temporal span?
The chosen approach combines textual analysis, scrutiny of material culture, and geographical
mapping to provide a holistic understanding of the phenomenon of festivals. The research will
encompass literary and documentary sources, both in Greek and Egyptian, allowing for an in-depth
exploration of the multifaceted dynamics of festivals.
The project aims to create two digital research tools: a database and an interactive map of festivals in
Egypt.
