This image shows a well preserved example of late Roman architecture in the ‘colonies’. It is the Kiosk of the Emperor Trajan on the Island of Philae in Egypt. Taken ca 1880s, the building shown was constructed under direction of the emperor Trajan, dating it between 53 and 117 A.D. Certainly not up to the aesthetic qualities of the classic Roman works, it does have some very nice pillars with impressive capitals, but then the effect is ruined at top and bottom by chunky block construction.

The photograph was taken by Antonio Beato. Less famous than his brother Felice, also a photographer, Antonio was an Italian who became a British citizen, and was born ca 1825. He died in Luxor Egypt in 1906. At times he and his brother worked together, and some works are signed with both names — Felice Antonio Beato — which has caused a great deal of confusion. Antonio worked primarily in Egypt 1860-1900, while his brother traveled much more widely.