Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic

Why it mattersKey Hellenistic Ptolemaic port palace and Roman later ancient-city with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

246 BCE Ptolemais foundation; Palace Columns 1st c. CE

Period

Hellenistic (Ptolemy III 246 BCE) → Roman, Palace of Columns 1st c. CE

Culture

Hellenistic Ptolemaic port palace and Roman later

Purpose

Palace of Columns (Palazzo delle Colonne 165 m × 90 m peristyle 70 m cistern) — Hellenistic palace 165 m with 100 cisterns and water capture 30 km aqueduct to Barca

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 1919

Excavation

Excavated

1. 1890 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic

2. 246 BCE Ptolemais foundation; Palace Columns 1st c. CE

   Initial construction / first occupation at Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic

3. c. 400 BCE major extension

   Major expansion / refurbishment at Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic

• Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic — Principal Structure

  structure

  structure at Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic — primary structure

  32.7028° N · 20.9316° E

• Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic — Northern Complex

  complex

  complex at Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic — primary structure

  32.7026° N · 20.9302° E

• Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic — Southern Rock Art

  rock art

  rock art at Ptolemais — Palace of Columns Cliff Peristyle Hellenistic — primary structure

  32.7029° N · 20.9283° E