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Naucratis, (Greek: Ναύκρατις), loosely translated as "(the city that wields) power over ships" (Piemro in Egyptian, now Kom Gieif), was an ancient city of Egypt, on the Canopic branch of the Nile river, 45 mi (72 km) SE of the open sea and the later Hellenistic capital of Alexandria.

Background

Archaeological evidence suggests that the history of the ancient Greeks in Egypt dates back at least to Mycenean times and most likely even further back into the Minoan age. This history is strictly one of commerce as no permanent Greek settlements have been found of these cultures to date. After the collapse of Mycenean Greek civilization and the ensuing Greek dark ages (c1100 - 750 BC) a "rennaisance" of Greek culture flourished in the seventh century BC and with it came renewed contact with the East and it's two great river civilizations of Mesopotamia and the Nile.

The first report of Greeks in seventh century Egypt was of Ionian and Carian pirates forced to land on the Nile delta by a storm. At this time the Saite Pharoah Psammetichus I (Psamtik) (c664-610) had been overthrown and in desperation had sought advice from an Oracle who cryptically advised him to enlist the aid of "brazen men." Inspired upon seeing the bronze armor of the shipwrecked pirates, he offered them rewards in return for their aid in his campaign of return to power. Upon the success of this endeavor he made good on his word and bestowed on the mercenaries two parcels of land, "camps" on either side of the Pelusian branch of the Nile.

History - Literary

Initially given as a reward to colonists from the Greek city-state of Miletus by the Saite Pharaoh Psammetichus I (Psamtik) (c664-610) for their help in defeating his rival the pretender Inarus, it was not only the first Greek settlement in Egypt but also Egypt's most important harbor in antiquity until the rise of Alexandria and the shifting of the Nile led to its decline.

During the 6th century BC the Hellenophile Pharoah Amasis (570-526) converted Naucratis into a major treaty-port and commercial link with the west. This was done most likely as a means to contain the Greeks and concentrate their activities in one place under his control. It became not the colony of any particular city-state but an emporion (tading post) like Al Mina, the largest market port of north Syria. According to Herodotus the walled shrine known as the Hellenion was a co-operative enterprise financed by nine eastern Greek cities, four Ionian (Chios, Clazomenae, Teos, and Phocaea) four Dorian (Rhodes, Halicarnasus, Cnidus and Phaselis) and one Aeolean (Mytilene.) Miletus, Samos and Aegina had their own separate sanctuaries. Thus at least twelve Greek city-states worked in a collaboration that was not only rare but proved to be lasting.

The Egyptians supplied the Greeks with mostly grain but also linen and papyrus while the Greeks bartered mostly silver but also timber, olive oil and wine.

Herodotus tells us that the prostitutes of Naucratis were “peculiarly alluring” and relates the story of the poet Sappho's brother who travelled to Naucratis to purchase the freedom of one add name, a slave and courtesan. After obtaining her freedom, she set up a house of ill-repute, building up a thriving business and commissioning an expensive votive offering for Delphi.

Naucratis soon became a profound source of inspiration to the Greeks by re-exposing them to the wonders of Egyptian architecture and sculpture lost to them since the Bronze Age.

History - Archeaology

The site was discovered by W.M.F. Petrie who dug there in 1884-5. He was followed by E.A. Gardener, Griffith, and finally D.G. Hogarth, in 1899 and 1903. The site has been excavated, revealing pottery of a Greek type and ruins of Greek temples.

References

• John Boardman - The Greeks Overseas (ISBN 0-500-25069-33-80)
• F. W. von Bissing, “Naukratis”, Bulletin de la Société Royale d’Archéologie d’Alexandrie 39 (1951) 32 –82

Links

• Archaeological information:
• 1911 Encyclopedia article on Naucratis
• Foundation date of city: Herodotus vs. archaeology