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Alexandria in a Brief history

By 331 B.C Alexandria the Macedonian had already captured Egypt, in order to legitimate his rule and win the allegiance of the influential Egyptian Priests he planned a difficult journey to the renowned temple of Amun in Siwa oasis, situated in a remote depression west of the Nile Delta.

His journey took took him through ( the village of Rhakotis ) on the Mediterranean coast.

Alexander decided to found a city on the narrow strip of land west of Rhakotis, overlooking the island of Pharos , with lake Mareotis to the south.

In 323 B.c, Alexander died and his empire was divided among his generals.

Egypt was given to ( Ptolemy son of lagos ) who initiated a dynasty named as Ptolemaic dynasty that lasted until 30 B.C.

( Ptolemy I ) oversaw the first steps in the making of the city named after Alexander- Alexandria, a city that was destined for glory and eternal flame.

The last queen of the Ptolemaic dynasty, ( Cleopatra VII ) came to throne at age of seventeen , her brother and husband ( Ptolemy XIII ) was only ten years old. She had a younger sister of fifteen and a brother who was eight years old. The Romans sent General -Pompey -( after whom a column in the Sarapeion was later named ) to serve as a guardian of the four children.

Pompey was eliminated by ( Julius Caesar ) who wooed Cleopatra. She bore him a child called ( Caesarion ) `little Caesar `

After death of Julius Caesar, ( Mark Antony ) married Cleopatra. Mark Antony`s sojourn in Egypt was short-lived, he was pursued by Octavian Augustus , who won a decisive victory at ( Actium ) in 31 B.C , Cleopatra decided to ended her life and Egypt ceased to be an independent Country , becoming a Roman Province as private property of the emperor , who ruled it through a prefect.

The prefect of Egypt resided in Alexandria, many of the Roman emperors were interested in it as many of them visit Alexandria as ( Octavian Augustus ) found a new town to east of Alexandria , which was called ( Nicopolis ) or the city of Victory ( the area known as Ramleh )

Egypt was later visited by several emperors beginning with( Vespasian ) in 69 AD. about that time (68 AD ) St.Mark who introduced Christianity to Alexandria was martyred.

During the region of ( Trajan ) 98-117 AD, local turmoil led to destruction many buildings and historic sites.

( Hadrian ) on visiting Alexandria ordered to the restoration, among monuments of the temple of Sarapis which had been destroyed during turmoil , it appears that Hadrian was interested in cult of Sarapis he issued coins with a representation if the god

Hadrian`s successor ( Antoninus Pius ) also visited Alexandria and built a hippodrome and two gates at either end of the Canopic way.

A few decades later, ca,200 AD ,( Caracalla ) visited Alexandria with his father (Septimus ), he visited it once more fifteen years later , the inhabitants of the city made fun of him and he retaliated by letting his troops sack the city and murder a great many Alexandrians in a massacre which is said to have lasted several days.

During the reign of ( Aurelian ) 270-275 AD, Alexandrians revolted against Roman rule , Aurelian marched against the city and drove the rebels into the royal district (the Brucheion ), where he besieged them and forced them to surrender. The Brucheion and walls of the city were destroyed during the struggle.

Disturbances again broke out in Alexandria in the time of ( Diocletian ) 284-305 AD, The emperor was obliged to come to Egypt in person to put down the revolt, he besieged the city for eight months and finally took it by force.

Many Christians were persecuted to the extent that the Egyptian Church started its calender, commemorating the ( Era of Martyrs ) 284 Ad

In 641 AD, ( Amr ibn el-As ) entered Alexandria commencing the Arab period in the history of the city.

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