The objective of this study is to undertake a regional analysis of Upper Ṣaʽīd – situated in the far south of Egypt – during a time of profound political, social, and cultural transformation – from the Islamic conquest to the mid-5th/11th century. The establishment of the new Islamic authority in Egypt marks a significant turning point in the broader history of the Mediterranean. This analysis draws on a diverse corpus of sources, including papyrological documents (Greek and Coptic for the 7th–8th centuries, Arabic from the 8th century onward), funerary stelae, archaeological findings, and literary texts. The investigation begins in the 1st/7th century, a time when Egypt was administratively divided into two geographic entities : Upper and Lower Egypt. The importance of papyri and ostraca is highlighted in the second part of this research, as they constitute the most valuable source for studying the administrative organisation of the territory in question. Using these Greek and Coptic documents from the 1st/7th–2nd/8th centuries and Arabic documents from the 2nd/8th century onwards, I examine the evolution of the administrative hierarchy between the Byzantine legacy, and the new structure adopted by the new power. Papyrological documents and ostraca are also utilized in the third part of this study to analyze the role played by Upper Ṣaʽīd as a hub monopolizing commercial networks. The evidence reveals that, alongside the interactions between state officials, monasteries and merchants, the network was notably open, attracting pilgrims and merchants from diverse regions. These actors were interconnected through sales transactions and services rendered, reflecting a sustained level of economic activity until the 5th/11th century. These routes were controlled by these entities, with caravans and riverboats facilitating the efficient operation of commerce. Thanks to its strategic geographical position, Upper Ṣaʽīd emerged as a commercial centre and an attractive market, guaranteeing its significance for the Muslim authorities based in the capital.
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Bibliographic data
Edition
1/2026
Copyright Year
2026
ISBN-Print
978-3-96327-348-3
ISBN-Online
978-3-96327-349-0
Publisher
Zaphon, Münster
Series
Muziris / Historische Papyrologie, Epigraphik und verwandte Gebiete der antiken Kulturen / Historical papyrology, epigraphy and neighbouring fields in ancient cultures
Volume
5
Language
French
Pages
294
Product Type
Monograph
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ChapterPages
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