The Greeks in Egypt

Their contribution to the culture and development of Egypt. during more than three thousand years.

Our lecturer, and fellow member, on that occasion was none less than

COUNSELLOR YANNIS KONTOPOULOS

Economic and Commercial Affairs
Embassy of the Hellenic Republic

Greece and Egypt have always had close relations, and this before the Greek people even appeared in History.

The Greeks were the dominant force in Egypt for nearly a 1000 years; for three centuries before Christ and seven centuries after Christ, namely during the Ptolemaic, the Greco-Roman and the Byzantine periods.

The presence of the Greeks in Egypt and their contribution to the culture and development of Egypt has been, although in varying degrees, a continuous uninterrupted process during more than three thousand years.

For a better overview of how this presence has varied over the centuries, we have chosen to divide it into six main periods, namely:

1.     The Pre-hellenic period

Egyptians visit Greece (until the 11^th century BC)

2.     The Ancient Greek and Classical period

Greeks visit Egypt (11th to 4^th century BC)

3.     The Hellenistic period

The Greeks rule Egypt (4^th century BC to 7^th century AD)

4.     The Arabs and the Mameluks

Period of shrinking of the Greek presence (640 until 1820)

5.     The dynasty of Mohamed Ali

A rebirth of the Greek presence in Egypt (1820 to 1952)

6.     The modern period

A new shrinking of the Greek presence followed by new arrivals (1952-today)