HISTORY This Week Egypt’s Last Hieroglyph and the Fiery Archbishop of Alexandria
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Aug 18, 2025 Stephen Davis, Woolsey Professor of Religious Studies at Yale, dives into the dramatic clash between ancient Egyptian beliefs and rising Christianity in the late 4th century. He explores the last hieroglyph carved in Egypt and the fervent archbishop Theophilus, who ruthlessly battled pagan traditions and rival factions. The conversation reveals the intense power struggles within Alexandria and highlights the complexities of Theophilus's legacy, including his ruthless ambition and the enduring influence of ancient religious practices on early Christianity.
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The Last Hieroglyph At Philae
- Esmet Ockham, one of the last hieroglyph writers, carved what may be the final known ancient Egyptian hieroglyph at Philae around August 24, 394.
- Solange Ashby frames the inscription as a poignant end to a long cultural decline rather than an instantaneous disappearance.
Christianity Became State Power
- The 4th century saw Christianity transform from persecuted sect to state religion under Constantine and Theodosius.
- Theodosius' 391 ban on paganism forced a rapid, state-backed shift across the empire, including Egypt.
Theophilus And The Serapium Desecration
- Theophilus renovated temples and publicly desecrated Egyptian relics, culminating in the vandalism of the Serapium and its statue of Serapis.
- He deliberately left the temple partly ruined as a visual reminder of Christian victory over paganism.
