Everyday Life in Alexandria
Alexandria is a very interesting city, nestling on the Mediterranean Sea. Once among the greatest cities of the Mediterranean world and a centre of Hellenic scholarship and science. Alexandria was the capital of Egypt from its founding by Alexander the Great in 332 BC to the 7th century at the arrival of the Arabs.
In the past, Alexandria was vibrant, flourishing, entertaining and it has very strong harmony among its inhabitants. Under the Ptolemies, a line of Greek kings, Alexandria soon sprang into eminence, and, accumulating culture and wealth, became the most powerful metropolis of the Orient. Serving as the port of Europe, it attracted the lucrative trade of India and Arabia. Its markets were enriched with the gorgeous silks and fabrics from the bazaars of the Orient.
Ptolemy adds legitimacy to his rule in Egypt by acquiring Alexander’s body. He intercepts the embalmed corpse on its way to burial, brings it to Egypt and places it in a golden coffin in Alexandria. The library, begun under Ptolemy I (305-285 BC) was completed by Ptolemy II (285-246 BC.
Following Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC, his right-hand man, Marcus Antonius (MarkAntony) became Cleopatra’s consort and left Rome for Alexandria. The city became his base of operations over the next thirteen years until he and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavian Caesar at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.
Alexandria’s temples, its’ library and light house will remain one of the famous sights for many years, until they were partially destroyed in riots in the 3rd century AD by the Christian mobs. Today, Alexandria is a cosmopolitan city like any other modern city on the coast of the Mediterranean. It has its’ own problems, one of them is a pollution. It effects people and historical buildings in the city.
