2,300-Year-Old Temple found in Nile Delta

A temple attributed to Ptolemy II has been discovered in the Nile River Delta, at the ancient city of Thmuis. Archaeologists believe that the temple may have been a memorial to his dead queen, Arsinoe II. Ptolemy was so enamored of his wife that after her death, she was elevated to the status of deity. In her role as Arsinoe-Aphrodite-Kypris, she was a goddess who watched over seafarers - no surprise there, since Ptolemy helped expand Egypt's vast maritime power. In some images, Arsinoe was depicted as the goddess Isis.

The harbour of Thmuis was a source of income for the city for many years, and was important to the city's success. Thmuis flourished during the Ptolemaic Dynasty, following the arrival of Alexander the Great, who put Greek rulers on the throne of Egypt.

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