History of Alexandria

The history of Alexandria began when Alexander the Great founded the city in 331 BC. Before this, there were big ports near what is now Abu Qir Bay. At that time, the Canopic branch of the Nile Delta was used for shipping.

After its founding, Alexandria became very important. It was the capital of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. The city grew quickly and became one of the greatest cities in the Hellenistic world, though only Rome was bigger and wealthier after it gained control of Egypt in 30 BC.

Later, the city fell to the Arabs in AD 641, and a new capital of Egypt, Fustat, was built on the Nile. Alexandria lost its importance and became just a small fishing village. In 1798, the French army under Napoleon captured the city, but the British soon took it from the French and kept it in their sphere of influence for about 150 years. The city grew again in the early 1800s under Mohammad Ali, the viceroy of Egypt.

Today, Alexandria is the main port of the Republic of Egypt. It is a busy center for trade, tourism, and transportation, and it has many factories making things like refined petroleum, asphalt, cotton clothes, food, paper, plastics and styrofoam.

Early settlements in the area

Long before Alexandria was founded, there were important port cities nearby. Cities like Canopus and Heracleion were busy places where people traded goods. These cities were near marshlands and islands close to what we now call Abu Qir Bay.

There was also a town named Menouthis, and an Egyptian town called Rhakotis where Alexandria would later be built. The Nile Delta was a key place for trade with Egypt, and nearby was Lake Mareotis.

Foundation

Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. Alexander’s builder was Dinocrates. One story says Alexander used grain to draw the city’s plan because he did not have chalk. After starting the city, Alexander left Egypt and never returned.

Later, a general named Ptolemy brought Alexander’s body to Alexandria. His tomb became a famous place for travelers. The city was meant to be an important link between Greece and the Nile Valley. The spot chosen for Alexandria was special because it had water from the Nile and was protected by the Libyan Desert and the Nile Delta.

Ptolemaic era

Alexandria grew quickly to become one of the biggest cities in the world. It was a center for trade between Europe, the Arabian East, and the Indian East. The city was home to people from many Greek cities and had important buildings like the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Library of Alexandria.

The Library of Alexandria became famous for learning and attracted great thinkers like Euclid, who studied geometry, and Eratosthenes, who calculated the size of the Earth. Alexandria was known for its mix of people, including Greeks, Jews, and Egyptians.

Roman era

Roman annexation

Alexandria was influenced by Rome for over 100 years before it became part of the Roman Empire in 80 BC by the will of Ptolemy Alexander. Julius Caesar visited the city in 47 BC to meet with Cleopatra and was later besieged there. After Mark Antony’s defeat, Octavian took control of Egypt and made it part of the emperor’s personal property. Octavian visited the tomb of Alexander the Great during his time in Alexandria.

After becoming part of the Roman Empire, Alexandria regained much of its former wealth, as it was an important source of food for Rome. This was one reason why Octavian chose to place it directly under imperial control.

Tensions between Jewish and Greek communities led to riots in AD 38 and again in 66. Buildings were damaged during the Kitos War in AD 115, which gave Emperor Hadrian a chance to rebuild the city.

In 215 AD, Emperor Caracalla visited Alexandria and, after being insulted by some of the people, ordered his soldiers to kill many young men. This sad event led to the loss of many lives.

In the 3rd century AD, the tomb of Alexander the Great was closed to the public, and its location was eventually forgotten.

Late Roman and Byzantine period

Even though Alexandria was once known for its learning, it later became important as a center for Christian beliefs and church leadership. There, new ideas about Christianity appeared, and leaders like Athanasius worked to protect the faith.

As time passed, Alexandria began to feel less connected to Egypt and its trade declined. In 365, a big wave caused by an earthquake in Crete damaged the city.

In the late 4th century, Christians treated followers of other beliefs harshly. In 391, Emperor Theodosius I ordered all temples dedicated to other gods to be destroyed. This led to the loss of many important buildings, including parts of the Great Library.

Archaeologists have found signs of Roman buildings hidden under later layers in Alexandria, showing that the city continued to be lived in during these years.

Islamic rule

Further information: Islamic conquest of Egypt, Fatimids, Ayyubid dynasty, and Mamluk Sultanate (Cairo)

In 619, the city was taken by Khosrau II, King of Persia. Later, in 641, Arabs captured it after a long siege. The city became part of a new rule.

Over time, Alexandria grew into a major trading center. Goods from Arabia, India, Africa, and Egypt passed through its port. Merchants from many places, including Venetia, Genoa, and Pisa, set up trading posts there. The city stayed important for trade for many centuries.

Modern history

Further information: Ottoman Egypt, History of Egypt under the Muhammad Ali dynasty, and History of Egypt under the British

Alexandria was important when Napoleon visited Egypt in 1798. French soldiers took the city, but British forces fought back and took it in 1801.

Muhammad Ali, the leader of Egypt, began to rebuild Alexandria around 1810. By 1850, the city had grown strong again.

In 1882, battles happened in Alexandria during a war between Egypt and Britain. Parts of the city were damaged.

Later, in the 1950s, there were tensions between Egypt and Britain, which led to some fights in Alexandria. In 1952, the army took control of the city and ended the rule of King Farouk.

Alexandria was also affected by events such as an Israeli bombing in 1954 and an assassination attempt on leader Gamal Abdel Nasser the same year.

Alexandria has been home to many famous writers. The poet Constantine P. Cavafy lived there, and author E. M. Forster wrote about the city. Another writer, Lawrence Durrell, also lived in Alexandria and wrote a famous book series called The Alexandria Quartet.

Recent discoveries

In July 2018, archaeologists found a very old stone box with three skeletons inside. Experts thought it looked like a family burial. They also found a small golden piece and some thin sheets of gold.

In June 2022, more archaeologists found a stone face that looks like Alexander the Great. They also found tools and materials used to make special items for soldiers and statues of Alexander the Great.