History of Alexandria

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Ptolemaic era , Roman era, Islamic era,Ottoman era .....

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The Foundation of Alexandria

The bond between Egypt and the Hellenic Empire dates from centuries before Alexander the Great. Greek merchants and brokers were located in a village called "Kom Ge’eif" in the Governorate of Beheira and Egyptians were particularly close to the Greek community in Egypt during the entire time of the Persian occupation of the Nile Valley....

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Alexandria at the Ptolemaic Era

Death of great Alexander, never gave him a chance to bear witness to the birth of the city that bore his name and immortalized him. It was under the rule of Ptolemy I (Soter) that the city bloomed until the rule of Ptolemy II "Philadelphus", who ruled from 285 B.C. till 246 B.C. when it became the greatest and most famous capital of the world, surpassing ancient Greek and modern Egyptian cities and a center for the Ancient World admiration....

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Alexandria at the Roman Era

On his first entry to the city, Emperor Augustus (30-13 B.C.) used a very wise policy as he entered Alexandria as a conqueror. He declared a general amnesty for all Alexandrians and Egyptians, did not take revenge of anyone, contrary to the ancient tradition when opening an opposing city, and refrained from allowing his soldiers to loot the city. to gain their sympathy and safeguard from any revenge from their side. Plutarch, the historian, says that Caesar Augustus walked to the city holding his right arm to bestow honour and tells of the long march of the Emperor in the city, hand in hand with Arius the philosopher in a show of confidence and respect from the citizens. He then entered the gymnasium (an institution for the education of citizens) and sat at the top of the podium...

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Alexandria and Christianity

Jesus-Christ was born under the rule of Emperor Augustus in Bethlehem, Palestine. Christianity blossomed rather humbly in the beginning with the missions of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ who died in the year 30 B.C. The Apostles and Disciples were from the lower strata of the society but learned Christian rites and cult and put them into practice in the Temple of Solomon where they gathered....

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Islamic invasion of Alexandria

Amr Ibn El’as easily took the Fort of Babylon as he invaded Egypt and proceeded in 641 A.D. (21 Hijri) to Alexandria where local Copts welcomed him and offered him support and aid....

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Alexandria in the Fatimide Era

The Fatimide Era is a Shiite Ismaelite Caliphate in the Near Maghreb Berber Bedouins of Katama and Sanhaga at the end of the Third Century of the Hejira Calendar. Its authority extended over the whole Maghreb region and a number of Western islands in the Mediterranean Sea, as Sicily and Malta, and eastwards to Egypt which is characterized by a unique position at the heart of the Arab World.....

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The Ayoubide rule and Alexandria

From its inception to its end, the Ayoubide rule was a militant Islamic state. After the victory of Hatin during which Jerusalem was recovered from the hands of the Crusaders, to the Mansoura victory which ousted the French Army under the command of King Louis IX, the Ayoubides prevailed.....

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Alexandria in Mameluk Era

The Mameluk maritime history represents the golden era of Alexandria and the flourishing economic development led to a peak in urban reconstruction unseen before even in the glorious days of Islamic rule, making Alexandria the focal point of the whole world.....

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The Ottoman rule and Alexandria

Alexandria shrank even more during the Ottoman Era (1517 - 1798 A.D.) starting from the rule of Elashraf Bersbey which witnessed the incident with the Cypriots which literally destroyed the city and its buildings. Later, in 1498, as the Portuguese discovered the road to the Cape of Good Hope, the economy suffered even more and most links between Alexandria and the world were severed.....

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The Orabi Revolution and the British Occupation

On Tuesday, July 11th 1882, Egypt and Alexandria in particular came under heavy attack from the British Navy. On that day, the Egyptian Army and the whole population rose to defend valiantly their land, particularly as the population was in turmoil as the Revolution of Orabi was already under way, calling for the denial of injustice, oppression and foreign intervention in internal matters. Alexandria and its people stood firmly in support of the Orabi Revolution,....

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Alexandria and World War

Under the stern martial law that was imposed on Egypt during World War I (1914-1918), Egypt suffered much as the British drained the country from most of its resources and ruled it in the most martial and military way.....

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The 1952 revolution and Alexandria

As more foreigners flocked to Alexandria under the British occupation which provided privileges for Western interests in Egypt, Alexandria acquired a typical European – Western style until the July 23, 1952 revolution.....