Kom El Deka (Arabic: كوم الدكة), also known as Kom el-Dikka, is a neighborhood and archaeological site in Alexandria, Egypt. Early Kom El-Dikka was a well-off residential area, and later it was a major civic center in Alexandria, with a bath complex (thermae), auditoria (lecture halls), and a theatre. Today, Kom el-Dikka is the largest and most complete above ground archeological site in Alexandria. It provides large amounts of archeological evidence of urban life in Roman Egypt. Including early villas and their mosaics, and late Roman public works.

History of Kom El Deka

The Early Roman Period, dating from the 1st-3rd century AD, contains the earliest well preserved structures. In this period, Kom el-Dikka contained mainly large villas. In the late 3rd century,combination of Palmyrene invasion, Aurelian’s siege, and Diocletian’s repressions damaged the area badly.

The Late Roman-Byzantine Period, dating from the 4th-7th century, saw a very changed neighborhood. Massive imperial bath complex significantly occupied the land, as well as a theater and a number of auditoria. Public works displaced private homes. These public works were together, and were intertwined in their construction. With these buildings, Kom el-Dikka served as a major civic center in Alexandria.

Description

Kom El Deka In the heart of modern Alexandria lie the remains of a once vibrant and sprawling complex known today as Kom El Deka. The ruins of Kom El Deka offer visitors a glimpse of an ancient Roman cityscape complete with theater, public baths, houses, and palatial villas. What was once a Roman town found itself neglected and largely forgotten, only to be rediscovered and excavated in 1960.

Over the past half century, discoveries continue to be on this site, including a series of lecture halls. The Roman Theater The main monument on the site is the remains of a small Roman theater. It features thirteen rows of seats arranged in a simple U – shaped configuration. The primary structure consists of a red brick base , which at one time was with thick white marble stadium – style seats to accommodate what was probably a select. The most recent archaeology suggests that the theater floor and inner walls were with a dazzling series of colorful mosaics in a variety of geometric patterns.