%cr%b%s4 Alexander the Great–founder of the city and other Alexandria, Egypt General Tips

Alexander the Great–founder of the

city

Favorite Thing: The Egyptians welcomed Alexander the Great when he entered the country in 332 B.C. He spent only several months in Egypt as part of his on-going campaign against the mighty Persian Empire of Darius III. Alexander initiated the building of Alexandria, but never lived to see the city. He left Egypt in 331 B.C. and left Cleomenes of Naukratis in charge of the territory. This position was later claimed by Ptolemy. When Alexander died, Ptolemy's generals divided the kingdom.

Alexander would never return alive to see the city he had founded, it would be considered as his final resting place when his embalmed body was returned there for burial only 10 years later. Alexander the Great's tomb still has not unraveled, and locating the burial of Alexander seems to have become an impossible mission for archaeologists.

But nevertheless his name is linked with the modern city forever though I very doubt if he ever visited this area and if it was so it happened much later than we are told by historians…
The monument of Alexander the Great stands now near the modern building of the Library.

To learn more about Alexander in Egypt here

You may watch my high resolution photo on Google Earth in Alexandria Alexander the Great according to the following coordinates: 31º 12' 31.38" N 29º 54' 30.09" E
or on my Google Earth Panoramio Photo 1

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General Tips: Ptolemy I – the constructer of the city

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Written by Kuznetsov_Sergey

on Dec 9, 2007

Alexandria - Ptolemy I

Favorite Thing: Ptolemy I was a boyhood friend of Alexander the Great at Pella, and later became one of his most trusted generals as well as a member of his royal bodyguards. Now he is considered to be the first man to unite Egypt at the dawn of civilization. He became the king and founder of the new dynasty. Ptolemy I Soter took the Egyptian name Meryamun Setepenre, which means "Beloved of Amun, Chosen of Re".

Though I very doubt of it but this tradition has been followed throughout the history of the world, up unto our present times. The monument of Ptolemy I is established near the modern building of the Library. It was taken from the bottom of the sea.

You may learn more about Ptolemy I here

You may watch my high resolution photo on Google Earth in Alexandria Ptolemy the Great according to the following coordinates: 31º 12' 28.71" N 29º 54' 31.98" E
or on my Google Earth Panoramio Photo

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General Tips: Pharos Lighthouse

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Written by Kuznetsov_Sergey

on Dec 8, 2007

Alexandria - Pharos Lighthouse

Silhouette?

Favorite Thing: What do we recall first of all when hear the name of Alexandria? The Lighthouse and the Library! Famous Pharos Lighthouse is considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. They say that the Pharos Lighthouse was constructed at the beginning of the third century BC and stood on the eastern point of Pharos Island some distance from the city center of Alexandria.

The tongue of land between the eastern and western harbors developed out of the ancient causeway known as the Heptastadion which led out to the island of Pharos.
The total height of the building including the foundation base was about 120 m, equivalent to a 40-story modern building. Supposedly, the light from the tower could be seen from almost 100 miles out to sea.

Where was it? Did it exist in reality or it was only a fantasy? These questions came to me (and I’m sure to everyone who is interested in ancient history) when I was strolling along the Sea beach in Muntaza park where a modern Lighthouse is located now.

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General Tips: Ancient Library of Alexandria

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Written by Kuznetsov_Sergey

on Dec 9, 2007

May be the Library was sitated

here?

Favorite Thing: Egypt has been the cradle of civilizations since ancient times and the famous Library of Alexandria is considered one of the cultural wonders of the ancient world. Historians tell us that in 295 BC Ptolemy I commissioned the construction of the Great Library of Alexandria. Let them think it was in reality!

In the following years, local scientists traveled through the region to purchase books for the library. The Library held many copies of important books of the ancient world as well as the originals of Euripides and Sophocles. All human knowledge of the ancient world was stored in the Library, not just of Egypt or the Greek territories.
In 48 BC, the Library and at least 40,000 scrolls were burnt when Julius Caesar attacked the city and a huge fire swallowed up the ancient Library.

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General Tips: Alexandria Corniche

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Written by Kuznetsov_Sergey

on Dec 9, 2007

Alexandria Corniche

by Kuznetsov_Sergey , 4 more photos

Favorite Thing: As I’ve heard a lot about Alexandria Lighthouse and Library, I’ve heard nothing about its beautiful Corniche! It occupies almost 20 kilometers of wonderful beaches. The avenue did not always exist there, for until the XX-th century, the areas remained fortified by a five mile long wall with towers which had protected the city since the XIIIth century. In the early 1900s, a strip of land with a width of about 100 meters was reclaimed from the sea, and the area became popular.

Now the Corniche became the highlight of Alexandria and attract tourists nor least than its historical sights. If I would choose between Hurghada for example and Alexandria for having a beach rest I would prefer Alexandria.

You may watch my VIDEO-Clip on my personal YouTube channel: 8 min 37 sec Egypt Alexandria Corniche out a bus window 2007

You may watch my high resolution photos on Google Earth in Alexandria Corniche according to the following coordinates: 31º 17' 24.50" N 30º 1' 20.62" E

or on my Google Earth Panoramio Photo 1 , Photo 2 , Photo 3 .

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General Tips: Eastern Harbor

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Written by Kuznetsov_Sergey

on Dec 9, 2007

Alexandria - Eastern Harbor

by Kuznetsov_Sergey , 2 more photos