Alexandria is a port city on the Mediterranean Sea in northern Egypt founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great. It was the site of the Pharos (lighthouse), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the legendary Library of Alexandria and was once the most vital cultural center of the ancient world, rivaling even Athens, Greece.
More about: Alexandria, Egypt13 days left
Invest in History Education
By supporting our charity World History Foundation, you're investing in the future of history education. Your donation helps us empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them. Help us start the new year ready to publish more reliable historical information, free for everyone.
$1916 / $10000
Definition
Timeline
-
332 BCEAlexander the Great conquers Phoenicia and turns toward Egypt.
-
Jan 331 BCEAlexander the Great founds Alexandria at the port town of Rhakotis in Egypt.
-
323 BCEDeath of Alexander the Great.
-
305 BCE - 285 BCEReign of Ptolemy I in Egypt, who initiated the Great Library.
-
c. 300 BCE - c. 280 BCEThe Lighthouse of Alexandria is built, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
-
300 BCEPtolemy I founds the Museum of Alexandria.
-
282 BCE - 246 BCEReign of Ptolemy II in Egypt, development of Library at Alexandria.
-
276 BCE - 195 BCELife of Eratosthenes, ancient Greek Alexandrian scholar, native of Cyrene and one of the greatest geographers in antiquity.
-
247 BCEThe Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos) is completed.
-
48 BCEPompey killed at Alexandria, Caesar declares martial law in the city.
-
48 BCE - 44 BCEJulius Caesar of Rome and Cleopatra VII of Egypt in unofficial alliance.
-
48 BCECaesar defeats Pompey (Battle of Pharsalus); Pompey flees to Egypt and is killed by courtiers of Ptolemy XIII.
-
44 BCEAssassination of Julius Caesar at Rome.
-
41 BCE - 31 BCEMark Antony of Rome allied with Cleopatra VII of Egypt.
-
34 BCEMark Antony celebrates an unofficial triumph in Alexandria following his victories in Armenia.
-
30 BCEDeath of Cleopatra VII, end of the Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt.
-
30 BCE - 14 CEReign of Augustus Caesar in Rome, restoration of Roman province of Alexandria.
-
100 CEThe mathematician and astronomer Menelaus of Alexandria lived.
-
115 CEDestruction of Alexandria in the Kitos War.
-
117 CERestoration of Alexandria by Emperor Hadrian of Rome.
-
132 CESeptuagint (Greek translation of the Bible) composed at Alexandria.
-
313 CEConstantine the Great issues Edict of Milan, decrees religious tolerance.
-
314 CEReligious strife increases between Christians and other faiths in Alexandria.
-
391 CEChristian Patriarch Theophilus destroys pagan temples in Alexandria. .
-
415 CEHypatia of Alexandria murdered by Christian mob. Scholars and scientists leave the city. .
-
619 CEAlexandria is conquered by the Sassanid Persians.
-
628 CEByzantine Empire re-takes Alexandria, Egypt, from the Persians.
-
641 CEArab Muslims under Caliph Umar take Alexandria from the Byzantine Christians.
-
641 CE - 646 CEThe Byzantine Christians and Arab Muslims fight for control of Alexandria and Egypt.
-
646 CEThe Arab Muslims defeat the Byzantine Christians. Alexandria falls under Islamic rule. .