Ancient Alexandria, Egypt
Ancient Alexandria, Egypt

What and where is…
Alexandria?

also known as: Raqote, Rhacotis, Rakotə, Eskendereyyah

This was a great metropolis of ancient Lower Egypt. It was named after its founder, Alexander the Great (about B.C. 333). For a long period, it was the greatest city in the world, for both Nineveh and Babylon had been destroyed, and Rome had not yet risen to greatness.

It was the residence of the kings of Egypt for 200 years. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament, and only incidentally in the New Testament. Apollos, eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures, was a native of this city (Acts 18:24).

Many Jews from Alexandria were in Jerusalem, where they had a synagogue (Acts 6:9), at the time of Stephen’s martyrdom. At one time it is said that as many as 10,000 Jews resided in this city.

It was here that the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek. This is called the Septuagint (70) version, from the tradition that seventy learned men were engaged in executing it. It was, however, not all translated at one time. It was begun B.C. 280, and finished about B.C. 200 or 150.

Modern Alexandria, Egypt—satellite view

Alexandria possessed a famous and extremely important library of 700,000 volumes, which was burned by the Saracens (A.D. 642).

Satellite view of the modern Library of Alexandria (Bibliotheca Alexandrina), containing 8 million books, 4 museums and a planetarium
Streaming video— 
“Alexandria: The Cultural Heart of Ancient Egypt, One of the Seven Wonders”
Explore the rich history of Alexandria, the major center of Hellenic civilization and the capital of the vast Ptolemaic empire. Discover iconic structures like the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Library, and the Serapeum, which adorned this ancient city. Join us on a journey back in time to understand the cultural significance of Alexandria under the Ptolemies. Learn about its unique blend of Greek, Egyptian, and Jewish influences, and the architectural marvels that defined this historic city. Dive into the history of this remarkable metropolis, from its strategic harbor location to its role as an intellectual center. Witness the rise and eventual decline of Alexandria as it transitioned from Ptolemaic rule to Roman influence.
Video by Kings and Generals
Length: 18 minutes

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