The Copts - the Indigenous Christians of Egypt - declared their independence from Byzantine Christianity when they appointed their own patriarchs in the sixth century. Jill Kamil has written an engaging and accessible survey of the history of Christianity on Egypt, through its development under Rome, Byzantium and Islam, to modern times. Drawing on personal travel to all the Christian sites of Egypt, and conversations with scholars, monks, museum directors, and scores of lay Egyptians both Copt and Muslim, the author tells us about the fundamental importance of Coptic religion and culture i.

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Worship of the holy virgin and the holy family in Egypt -- Desert fathers ancient and modern -- Faith and oppression under Roman rule -- Knowledge versus faith -- Martyrs and Pachomian monasticism -- The war against paganism and Christian reflection of its art -- Conversion, controversy and national identity -- Coptic christianity develops its own style -- Change and continuity under Islam -- Restoration and revival