Bibliogr. p. 543-604. Index

Collection principale : Études alexandrines, ISSN 1110-6441. Numérotation dans la collection principale : 44

Excavations undertaken in Alexandria, one of the leading cities in Mediterranean trade during the Hellenistic period, have resulted in a relatively large amount of amphora finds. Five hundred and eighty-eight complete or nearly complete amphorae dating from the beginning of the Hellenistic period to the 7th century ad are held in Alexandria's Graeco-Roman Museum and stand as concrete evidence of the commercial networks of the city. Rhodian, Cnidian, Coan, Chian, Mendean, Thasian and Lesbian goods reached Alexandria during the Hellenistic period, as well as goods from Tripolitania, Carthage, the Italian peninsula, Crete, Cyprus and other eastern Mediterranean centres. Under the Pax Romana of the Roman Empire, commercial activities between Mediterranean cities increased. As a result, many amphorae found in Alexandrian excavations are evidence of Italian, Baetican and Lusitanian trade. Commercial routes then shifted to north and south with the establishment of the new imperial capital after the 4th century ad. Alexandria provided her needs mostly from eastern Mediterranean centres, especially from the Gazan region in LR 4 amphorae and Cilicia in LR 1 amphorae after the end of the 4th century until the Arab invasion. However, alongside the continued commercial links with Aegean islands and the Italian peninsula, amphora production in Alexandria increased during the imperial period with eventual mass production after the 4th century. The large quantity of local amphorae conserved in Alexandria's Graeco-Roman Museum is evidence of this commercial phenomenon. éditeur