Networks of the Theban desert: social, economic and religious interactions in late Byzantine and early Islamic Thebes

Late Byzantine and early Islamic Thebes, particularly the town of Jeme (Medinet Habu) and its neighboring monastic communities, functioned as a vital regional hub within broader Egyptian exchange networks. This study reveals that Jeme's symbiotic relationship with nearby monasteries—such as Apa Phoibammon, Epiphanius, and Frange—enhanced both their economic and religious significance. While not rivaling nome capitals in importance, this west Theban network demonstrated interdependence, where the town's prosperity supported monastic growth, which in turn elevated Jeme’s status. Leveraging extensive Coptic documentary evidence from well-defined chronological periods, the research provides a rare, data-driven insight into social and economic interactions across the Hermonthite and Koptite nomes. This work lays groundwork for future sociological studies of the region, framing its significance within broader historical contexts.

Burchfield, R. L. (2016). Networks of the Theban desert: social, economic and religious interactions in late Byzantine and early Islamic Thebes [Macquarie University]. https://doi.org/10.25949/19440230