Not singling you out, all the articles do it, but: Strange to call this Byzantine. The coins found are from the reign of Constantius II, who at times ruled the whole empire alone (as did his successor Julian). The idea that the East, even when administered separately, was some foreign/"Byzantine"/not-really-Roman "other" was invented much later.
I haven't been to Egypt and I've heard nothing but bad things from multiple sources. This is the only place in the world where I can say this about. It's really disappointing, as I'd love to see some of the history there.
A friend - female, white, blonde - while in india on a business trip had to deal with inapprorpaite behavior including individuals visibly touching themselves inappropriately...not my jam.
Any well-travelled guy is familiar with women who ask them to pretend to be married to allow them to escape constant, occasionally dangerous male pestering. In Turkey, I even met a woman who carried fake wedding bands for this purpose. We hung out for a few days as a “married” couple so she could get relief from the constant harassment.
I spent 6 weeks in India, mostly for work, but also ventured out quite a bit. I didn't really have any major issues and would go back. That said, I wasn't in any of the major tourist areas. My cousin has also started going there for work more recently and has enjoyed it a lot. I was little more nervous for her as a woman going by herself.
But to your point, when I think about it, I do hear a lot of negative things from others. A lot of people tried to talk me out of going there, but none of them had actually been there. The negative stuff I've heard about Egypt has all been from people who have been there.
Italy was it for me. The train station in Rome was crazy. And just Venice in general. I was probably just in the touristy areas, but it was definitely the most hardcore non-stop street scamming I'd been around.
I was just in Rome last year. The only place I really ran into issues was outside the Coliseum. I just said “huh” and mumbled “I don’t know” to every question until they went away. “Where are you from?” “I don’t know.” I think they just thought I was an idiot, or had very limited English, which is fine by me.
I was told later by a guide that if you say “no, grazie” in a semi-convincing Italian, they’d assume you’re local and leave you alone.
Best way not to get scammed is to hire a tour guide. Best care. Best everything. They will tell you what to watch for. If you love Egyptology like others do, you are going to be in the targeted category for advertisement, souvenirs, and scams.
can you tell a bit more about how you got scammed? I was in Cairo twice for business and our hosts organized nice trips through the historic sites and new museum. I intend to go there with my family one day
i guess you might be ok if you are cocooned in a safe travel group. I travel more independently, freely and let things come to me. Going on planned group iternary isnt much of an interest for me at the moment.
I absolutely hate tours and being penned in. However, if I see expats or locals in a tour group, it tells me there's some value there I'm missing. Served me well in India and parts of South America, for example.
anyone else immediately reminded of this lovecraft tale? https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/nc.aspx
A Byzantine lost city around the year 400 CE.
Not singling you out, all the articles do it, but: Strange to call this Byzantine. The coins found are from the reign of Constantius II, who at times ruled the whole empire alone (as did his successor Julian). The idea that the East, even when administered separately, was some foreign/"Byzantine"/not-really-Roman "other" was invented much later.
I wish I could go back in time and visit to see what it was like.
this is amazing. I am ancient egypt nerd but sucks that egypt is in egypt. I got scammed last time i went there and ppl were rude and agrresive.
I haven't been to Egypt and I've heard nothing but bad things from multiple sources. This is the only place in the world where I can say this about. It's really disappointing, as I'd love to see some of the history there.
>This is the only place in the world where I can say this about.
Really dude? About India? South America in general, especially Brazil?
I traveled a lot and I love everywhere, everyone and everything buy there are some places that scam 24/7.
A friend - female, white, blonde - while in india on a business trip had to deal with inapprorpaite behavior including individuals visibly touching themselves inappropriately...not my jam.
Any well-travelled guy is familiar with women who ask them to pretend to be married to allow them to escape constant, occasionally dangerous male pestering. In Turkey, I even met a woman who carried fake wedding bands for this purpose. We hung out for a few days as a “married” couple so she could get relief from the constant harassment.
I spent 6 weeks in India, mostly for work, but also ventured out quite a bit. I didn't really have any major issues and would go back. That said, I wasn't in any of the major tourist areas. My cousin has also started going there for work more recently and has enjoyed it a lot. I was little more nervous for her as a woman going by herself.
But to your point, when I think about it, I do hear a lot of negative things from others. A lot of people tried to talk me out of going there, but none of them had actually been there. The negative stuff I've heard about Egypt has all been from people who have been there.
Italy was it for me. The train station in Rome was crazy. And just Venice in general. I was probably just in the touristy areas, but it was definitely the most hardcore non-stop street scamming I'd been around.
I was just in Rome last year. The only place I really ran into issues was outside the Coliseum. I just said “huh” and mumbled “I don’t know” to every question until they went away. “Where are you from?” “I don’t know.” I think they just thought I was an idiot, or had very limited English, which is fine by me.
I was told later by a guide that if you say “no, grazie” in a semi-convincing Italian, they’d assume you’re local and leave you alone.
I’ve been to two cities in Brazil and had no issues whatsoever. I’m sure it happens, but no one tried to rob us or scam us.
The bad things are all true. Scamming people is their default. You can’t trust anyone you haven’t paid.
Eh. I concede that there are a ton of scammers in the tourist areas.
However, I think a lot of people used to the manners of the West really struggle with Egypt’s (admittedly, exhausting) haggling culture.
Best way not to get scammed is to hire a tour guide. Best care. Best everything. They will tell you what to watch for. If you love Egyptology like others do, you are going to be in the targeted category for advertisement, souvenirs, and scams.
Yeah. Unfortunately, that’s true of almost any place that is overcrowded to that extent. Their stagnant economy doesn’t help.
can you tell a bit more about how you got scammed? I was in Cairo twice for business and our hosts organized nice trips through the historic sites and new museum. I intend to go there with my family one day
Sonny from the "Best Ever Food Review Show" had a similar experience to op. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LzuZrkEY18
https://youtube.com/shorts/iCInGp4cxhc
i guess you might be ok if you are cocooned in a safe travel group. I travel more independently, freely and let things come to me. Going on planned group iternary isnt much of an interest for me at the moment.
I absolutely hate tours and being penned in. However, if I see expats or locals in a tour group, it tells me there's some value there I'm missing. Served me well in India and parts of South America, for example.
for sure. thats how i'd travel in egypt with kids.
You're not allowed to notice things.
The Ancient Architects video on YouTube has a quite good summary of the history of this site.
... Do we have a better source than Daily Mail?
Here: https://archaeologymag.com/2026/07/byzantine-city-with-writt...
and https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/04/archaeologists...
thank you.