Naukratis

An ancient Greek town in the Nile River delta, on the Canopic (western) branch of the river. An emporion ("trading station") with exclusive trading rights in Egypt Naukratis was the center of cultural relations and trade between Greece and Egypt in the pre-Hellenistic period. It was established by Milesians in the 7th century BC and flourished throughout the classical period. There was a shared administrative building called the Helleneion. It declined after Alexander's conquest of Egypt and the foundation of Alexandria (332 BC). There is evidence for the minting of silver and bronze coins and for the existence of a new building program under the early Ptolemies. By Roman imperial times the site may have been abandoned. Dedications to deities and Greek pottery have thrown light on the early history of the Greek alphabet and the commercial activity of various Greek states especially in the 6th century BC. It was mentioned by Herodotus as the chief point of contact between Egypt and Greece until Hellenistic period and rise of Alexandria.

A Greek trading settlement on the western (Canopic) branch of the Nile. Sources mention concessional arrangements made by Psammetichus I (663-609 bc), who may have been grateful for support from Greek mercenaries, and later by Amasis (578-525 BC). It looks as if Greek trading and residence on Egyptian soil was a matter for negotiation, with some traders, such as the Milesians and Samians, having separate quarters. There was also a shared administrative building, called the Helleneion, although the basis of participation is far from clear. With the arrival of Alexander the Great (332 bc) and the consequent founding of the new Alexandria, emphasis seems gradually to have shifted away from Naukratis. Some activity, however, continued, and we have evidence for the minting of silver and bronze coins, and for the existence of a new building programme under the early Ptolemies. By Roman imperial times the site may well have been abandoned, and perhaps was soon as overgrown as it is today.