The second largest city and the main port of Egypt with a population of 3.5 to 5 million. The city was built on a small village by the orders of Alexander the great whom the city immortalize his name. the city flourished to be a main cultural, political and economic metropolis in the Mediterranean sea. Alexandria extends about 20 miles along the coast of the Mediterranean sea in north central Egypt. Today the city became an important industrial centre due to the natural gas and oil pipes that extends from Suez as well as the city is a centre for many industrial factories. Alexandria is the main summer resort for most Egyptians due to its pleasant weather in the summer.
History
Ancient Alexandria:
Alexandria was also an important trading post between Europe and Asia, as it profited from the easy overland connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The city founded by the Macedonian leader Alexander the Great, near the fishing village called Rhakot in 332 BC. This act was directed by both political and commercial interests, as the location offered a natural harbor. Mediterranean sea The harbor facilities were enhanced through the construction of a mole of 1.6 km out to the island of Pharos. On Pharos a lighthouse was erected, which is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After the death of Alexander the Great who was buried in Alexandria in 323 BC. Ptolemy Lagos made the city a capital of his new kingdom in 305 BC. During Ptolemaists ruling of Egypt the city was flourished as a trade, economic and culture center; its library was reported to consist of more than 500,000 volumes. Such scholars as Euclid, Archimedes, Plotinus the philosopher, and Ptolemy and Eratosthenes the geographers studied at the Mouseion, the great research institute founded by the Ptolemies. Alexandria also was a centre of Jewish learning; and, according to tradition, the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek was produced there. The decline of the Ptolemies in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC was matched by the rise of Rome. Alexandria played a major part in the intrigues that led to the establishment of imperial Rome. Ptolemaic forces were beaten by the Romans in Akteum battle and Alexandria fell under Roman control in the year 30 BC.
History
Ancient Alexandria:
Alexandria was also an important trading post between Europe and Asia, as it profited from the easy overland connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The city founded by the Macedonian leader Alexander the Great, near the fishing village called Rhakot in 332 BC. This act was directed by both political and commercial interests, as the location offered a natural harbor. Mediterranean sea The harbor facilities were enhanced through the construction of a mole of 1.6 km out to the island of Pharos. On Pharos a lighthouse was erected, which is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After the death of Alexander the Great who was buried in Alexandria in 323 BC. Ptolemy Lagos made the city a capital of his new kingdom in 305 BC. During Ptolemaists ruling of Egypt the city was flourished as a trade, economic and culture center; its library was reported to consist of more than 500,000 volumes. Such scholars as Euclid, Archimedes, Plotinus the philosopher, and Ptolemy and Eratosthenes the geographers studied at the Mouseion, the great research institute founded by the Ptolemies. Alexandria also was a centre of Jewish learning; and, according to tradition, the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek was produced there. The decline of the Ptolemies in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC was matched by the rise of Rome. Alexandria played a major part in the intrigues that led to the establishment of imperial Rome. Ptolemaic forces were beaten by the Romans in Akteum battle and Alexandria fell under Roman control in the year 30 BC.
The Roman times:
From the year 30 BC Egypt became roman province. In 116 BC a revolt among local Jews led to an annihilation of the Jewish community and heavy destruction of the city. In 215 an ordering to massacre the male population of Alexandria was given by the Roman emperor Caracal. In 284 a strong persecution of Christians took place, it was estimated by the Coptic church that 144,000 Christians were killed. In the 4th century Alexandria was weakened by insurrection, civil war, famine and disease. In 391 the Coptic Patriarch instigated violent actions to the pagan communities in Alexandria and the temple and library of Serapes were sacked. Among the killed people a famous female scholar Hypanthia was found.
From the year 30 BC Egypt became roman province. In 116 BC a revolt among local Jews led to an annihilation of the Jewish community and heavy destruction of the city. In 215 an ordering to massacre the male population of Alexandria was given by the Roman emperor Caracal. In 284 a strong persecution of Christians took place, it was estimated by the Coptic church that 144,000 Christians were killed. In the 4th century Alexandria was weakened by insurrection, civil war, famine and disease. In 391 the Coptic Patriarch instigated violent actions to the pagan communities in Alexandria and the temple and library of Serapes were sacked. Among the killed people a famous female scholar Hypanthia was found.
Alexandria under Islamic reign:
September 28, 638 A.D: Amr Ebn Alaas the Arabian leader conquered the city and signed an agreement of evacuation of the roman forces from Egypt. 968 A.D.: with the establishment of Cairo as capital and cultural centre, Alexandria lost forever its position as the most important city of Egypt. 15th century: with the opening of the direct sea route from Europe to Asia, around Africa, Alexandria central position as an important sea port for the trade between Europe and Asia was strongly weakened.
September 28, 638 A.D: Amr Ebn Alaas the Arabian leader conquered the city and signed an agreement of evacuation of the roman forces from Egypt. 968 A.D.: with the establishment of Cairo as capital and cultural centre, Alexandria lost forever its position as the most important city of Egypt. 15th century: with the opening of the direct sea route from Europe to Asia, around Africa, Alexandria central position as an important sea port for the trade between Europe and Asia was strongly weakened.
Napoleon in Alexandria:
The French general Napoleon took control over Alexandria in 1798. At this time Alexandria was only a small fishing town of about 5,000 inhabitants. With Napoleon much of Alexandria's old strategic importance is briefly resurrected. Napoleon's troops lost the control over Alexandria after the British defeated them in Abu kir battlement. The Mahmudiyya Canal, which links Alexandria to the Nile was opened. With this, Alexandria's economy was revived, it was a strong increase of its population for the decades that followed. The canal also served to irrigate the surrounding lands, breaking ground for better agriculture. There was also a strong immigration from Europe, which painted the city with an international character and ambience. Roman theater 1869 - the opening of the Suez Canal added more to the importance of Alexandria, as that led to a heavy increase of the sea traffic in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The French general Napoleon took control over Alexandria in 1798. At this time Alexandria was only a small fishing town of about 5,000 inhabitants. With Napoleon much of Alexandria's old strategic importance is briefly resurrected. Napoleon's troops lost the control over Alexandria after the British defeated them in Abu kir battlement. The Mahmudiyya Canal, which links Alexandria to the Nile was opened. With this, Alexandria's economy was revived, it was a strong increase of its population for the decades that followed. The canal also served to irrigate the surrounding lands, breaking ground for better agriculture. There was also a strong immigration from Europe, which painted the city with an international character and ambience. Roman theater 1869 - the opening of the Suez Canal added more to the importance of Alexandria, as that led to a heavy increase of the sea traffic in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
In 1957- all French and British citizens were expelled, as a reaction to the acts of Western powers during the Suez-Sinai war of 1956. This war also started the large exodus of Jews. Following this, there are also strong actions to reclaim the Egyptian image of the city, and this changes its face forever. There is a tradition of moving the seat of the government from Cairo to Alexandria for the summer months. Now Alexandria is the second biggest city of Egypt after Cairo, with 4 million inhabitants. The most popular summer beaches for the Egyptians are there in Alexandria.
The Egyptian government decided to construct a library in honor of the famous Library of Alexandria, as a renewed link with the city’s past. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (completed 2000), located adjacent to the University of Alexandria, near the site of the ancient structure, was built to serve as a working library, repository for rare manuscripts, conference centre, and research institute.
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