Mobility as a Survival Strategy during the Persian Occupation of Egypt (619–629 CE): Evidence from the Theban Region

This article examines population mobility in the Theban region during the Persian occupation of Egypt (619–629 CE) through the combined analysis of literary sources and, above all, papyrological evidence. Private letters and petitions provide insight into the experiences of individuals and families affected by violence, economic hardship, and shortages of essential resources. The study identifies two principal forms of mobility: forced displacement resulting from military violence and movements motivated by the search for subsistence. It also highlights the role of ascetic communities and ecclesiastical institutions as places of refuge, assistance, and social support, demonstrating that mobility formed part of broader survival strategies adopted in response to the Persian occupation.