Festivals and society in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt

Three weeks ago, I visited Abydos for the first time — a place that has captivated travellers for thousands of years. As one of the most significant religious centres of ancient Egypt, Abydos was renowned for its cult of Osiris, the god of death and rebirth. The earliest temples here date back nearly 5,000 years, and worship continued at the site until at least the 4th century CE. Later, as often happened in Egypt, a Christian monastery took over the sacred ground.

Today, the main attraction for visitors is the stunning Temple of Seti I. Everything about it is breathtaking — the architecture, the interplay of light and shadow, and, most of all, the intricate reliefs and hieroglyphs that cover its walls. It’s easy to imagine that ancient travellers were just as awestruck as I was, which might explain why so many left their mark — literally. They carved their names into the temple walls, ensuring their pilgrimage would be remembered and securing the blessing of the gods.

The aim of Show more

I hope you had a good holiday season. This is how many of my emails begin this month. However, the meaning of "holiday season" is slightly elusive. In our society, the festive period typically starts in late November and ends in early January. This doesn’t mean we celebrate non-stop throughout these weeks. The famous English 18th-century carol is more precise, counting exactly the Twelve Days of Christmas, with one gift given each day. It does not, however, account for how quickly supermarkets and retailers pivot to preparing for the next round of holidays—Valentine's Day and Easter.

Important holidays tend to be the longer ones. Ramadan lasts for a month. Easter is celebrated for 50 days in the Catholic Church calendar. The Maha Kumbh Mela festival in northern India stretches ov Show more