Alexander the Great
Ancient Alexandria's heydays stretch for a period of about 1,000 years during Ptolemaists time, where the period of declining of its importance covers centuries. During the city's three earliest centuries it was perhaps the leading cultural centre of the world, housing people of different religions and of different philosophical orientations. Alexandria was in its days famous for the extensive library which in the 3rd century BC was told to contain 500,000 volumes. Secondly, Alexandria was renowned for the lighthouse of Pharos. It was the 2nd of the seven wonders of the world. The third landmark of Alexandria the Mouseion which was a centre of research, with laboratories and observatories. Alexandria was the centre for the very first biblical studies ever performed and the Old Testament was collected into the shape very similar to what it is now.

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. 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, is given by the Roman emperor Caracal. In 284 a strong persecution of Christians and thousands were killed. According to the history of the Coptic church 144,000 were killed. Pompay's Columns 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.

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 defated 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.