The Foundation of Alexandria: A City of Legends and Ambition
Alexandria, the jewel of the Mediterranean, was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great during his legendary conquest of Egypt. Charmed by the strategic location between Lake Mariout and the Mediterranean Sea, Alexander envisioned a grand city that would serve as a bridge between Greek and Egyptian civilizations. The task of designing the city was entrusted to the architect Dinocrates, who planned it with a grid-like structure inspired by Greek urban planning. From its inception, Alexandria was destined to be a center of knowledge, trade, and culture, quickly becoming the capital of Egypt under the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled after Alexander’s death. Unlike many ancient cities that rose and fell, Alexandria thrived, attracting scholars, merchants, and travelers from all over the Mediterranean world. Its prime coastal position allowed it to flourish as a hub of commerce, linking Africa, Asia, and Europe in a dynamic exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. The city was also known for its magnificent architecture, including grand palaces, vast temples, and elaborate public spaces, reflecting its status as a cosmopolitan metropolis that merged Greek, Egyptian, and later Roman influences into a unique and sophisticated urban environment.
The Great Library of Alexandria: The Ancient World’s Center of Knowledge
One of the most famous and significant institutions of Alexandria was the Great Library, an unparalleled center of learning that symbolized the city’s intellectual dominance. Established during the reign of Ptolemy I Soter or his son, Ptolemy II, the library aimed to collect all the knowledge of the known world. Scholars from different cultures and disciplines, including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy, and literature, gathered in Alexandria to study, write, and teach. The library is believed to have housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls, many of which contained invaluable works of Greek, Egyptian, Persian, Indian, and Mesopotamian knowledge. It functioned as part of the larger Mouseion, a scholarly institution that fostered academic research and debate, attracting great minds such as Euclid, the father of geometry, and Eratosthenes, who calculated the Earth’s circumference with remarkable accuracy. However, the fate of the Great Library remains one of history’s greatest mysteries. Over centuries, the library suffered multiple incidents of destruction, with some historians attributing its decline to Julius Caesar’s fire during his siege of Alexandria in 48 BCE, while others point to later conflicts and political turmoil. Regardless of how it was lost, the Great Library’s legacy endures, inspiring modern institutions of learning and symbolizing the eternal human quest for knowledge.
The Pharos Lighthouse: A Marvel of Engineering
Another of Alexandria’s legendary landmarks was the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Constructed during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus in the 3rd century BCE on the small island of Pharos, the lighthouse stood as a guiding beacon for sailors navigating the busy harbor of Alexandria. It was an engineering masterpiece, towering between 100 and 130 meters (330–430 feet) in height, making it one of the tallest structures of the ancient world. The lighthouse was composed of three tiers: a square base, a cylindrical middle section, and a smaller, circular tower at the top, where a massive fire burned at night, amplified by polished bronze mirrors to project light far out to sea. It is said that the Pharos Lighthouse could be seen from a distance of up to 50 kilometers (31 miles), serving as both a navigational aid and a symbol of Alexandria’s greatness. For centuries, it stood resilient against earthquakes and natural disasters, but successive tremors between the 10th and 14th centuries eventually led to its collapse. Today, the remnants of this ancient wonder lie beneath the waters near Fort Qaitbay, which was later built using some of the fallen stones of the lighthouse. Though lost to time, the Pharos Lighthouse remains an enduring symbol of human ingenuity and Alexandria’s historical importance as a center of trade and innovation.
Roman Alexandria: The City Under New Rule
Following the fall of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the annexation of Egypt by the Roman Empire in 30 BCE, Alexandria continued to play a vital role as a major city in the Mediterranean world. Under Roman rule, it remained a key center of learning, commerce, and political influence. The city was home to a significant Greek-speaking population, as well as Egyptians, Romans, and Jewish communities, making it one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan cities of the ancient world. During this period, Alexandria became a focal point for early Christianity, with figures such as Saint Mark, who is traditionally credited with founding the Christian Church in Egypt. The city was also the site of intense theological debates and conflicts, particularly during the early centuries of Christianity, as different factions vied for influence over religious doctrine. Roman emperors, including Hadrian and Septimius Severus, contributed to the city’s architectural splendor, building temples, amphitheaters, and baths that reflected Roman grandeur while maintaining Alexandria’s unique cultural blend. The city’s strategic importance persisted even as the Roman Empire declined, with Alexandria continuing to serve as a major port and intellectual hub throughout the Byzantine era.
Islamic and Modern Alexandria: A City of Everlasting Influence
The arrival of Islam in the 7th century marked a new chapter in Alexandria’s history. In 641 CE, the city fell to the Muslim forces of Amr ibn al-As, and its role as Egypt’s political capital gradually diminished as the newly established city of Fustat (later Cairo) became the administrative center. Despite this shift, Alexandria remained an important port and commercial hub, continuing to thrive under successive Islamic dynasties. During the Middle Ages, the city saw the construction of mosques, fortresses, and trading centers, further solidifying its status as a key maritime gateway. One of the most significant structures from this period is the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel, built by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay on the ruins of the Pharos Lighthouse to defend against Ottoman and European naval attacks. In the 19th century, under the rule of Muhammad Ali Pasha, Alexandria underwent a dramatic transformation, emerging as a modern city with European-style architecture, improved infrastructure, and expanded trade connections. The city’s cosmopolitan character was further enhanced by the influx of Greeks, Italians, and other foreign communities who contributed to Alexandria’s cultural and economic growth.
Today, Alexandria remains one of Egypt’s most historically rich and dynamic cities. Its ancient ruins, from the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa to the Roman Amphitheater, stand alongside vibrant modern districts, bustling markets, and the stunning Mediterranean coastline. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, inaugurated in 2002 as a tribute to the lost Great Library, serves as a symbol of Alexandria’s ongoing commitment to knowledge and culture. With its blend of ancient heritage, colonial-era charm, and modern vitality, Alexandria continues to captivate visitors and scholars alike, standing as a living testament to its enduring legacy as a city of history, intellect, and innovation.
