Alexandria is on the Mediterranean coast at the Egyptian settlement Rhacotis, later the Egyptian quarter of the city. Due to its vast library c. 250 BCE and famous schools in such subjects as medicine, Alexandria grows quickly to prominence in Hellenic civilization.
Founded by Alexander the Great in c. 332 BCE to the west o the Nile river delta, Alexandria supplants Memphis as the capital of Egypt under the Ptolemaic pharaohs who follow Alexander. The Ptolemies invest in culture, art and science.
A small Egyptian fishing village named Rhakotis (Egyptian: rꜥ-qdy.t, 'That which is built up') exists since the 13th century BCE in the vicinity and eventually becomes the Egyptian quarter of the city. Two towns arise on nearby islands in the 7th century BCE.
The city is renowned for the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It's erected c. 305 BCE, right after Ptolemy I becomes Pharaoh. It's estimated to be 100 m (330 ft). For centuries it's one of the tallest man-made structures in the world.
The lighthouse is severely damaged by three earthquakes between 956 and 1323 AD, and falls into ruin. It was the third-longest surviving ancient wonder, after the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and Great Pyramid of Giza. The stones are used to build a citadel on the site.
With all sea routes leading to cosmopolitan Alexandria, the Ptolemaic period (323 - 30 BCE) is one of fluctuating growth. The Pharaohs invest in the library, collecting and translating books and scrolls. A wide range of seekers enjoy the vigorous sea breeze and sunlit shores.
During the 3rd century BCE, a renowned medical school is founded. The school excels in anatomy, thanks to permission of human dissections. While predominantly Greek, adhering to Hippocratic principles, the school incorporates ancient Egyptian medical traditions.
In 145 BCE the expulsion of intellectuals from Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy VIII Physcon marks the beginning of the end for Alexandria's famous library.
Ptolemy VIII actively engages in Greek scholarship. He authors a study on Homer before and produces twenty-four books of Hypomnemata ('Notes'), a diverse compilation featuring accounts of historical and contemporary rulers, exotic wildlife and more.
Despite his scholarly pursuits, Ptolemy VIII's rule marked a serious decline in Alexandria's status as an intellectual hub. This isn't surprising due to the brutal massacres he incites upon seizing the city in 145 BC and again in 126 BC.
Notable intellectuals, such as Aristarchus of Samothrace and Apollodorus of Athens, are among the casualties during the initial massacre. The remaining Alexandrian scholars are reportedly exiled, with many relocating to Athens or Rhodes.
Though Julius Caesar accidentally burns down a large part of the Library in 48 BCE, the beloved institution carries on. Marc Anthony later gives Queen Cleopatra a vast amount of scrolls to help replenish it. Estimates come in at 200,000 but the number is debated.
After the Romans conquer Egypt c. 30 BCE, they let the library slide, cutting off funding. There is one instance of investment, when Emperor Claudius (r. 41 - 54 AD) adds an extension. He's poisoned by his wife Empress Agrippina before he can give further support.
Alexandria remains an intellectual and cultural nucleus of the ancient Mediterranean during much of the Hellenistic and late antiquity periods. It's the largest city in the ancient world between 200 BCE - 270 AD, later surpassed by Rome.
Philo of Alexandria reports that in 38 AD, conflicts break out between Jews and Greek residents of Alexandria when King Agrippa I visited the city. The main issue is the Herodian people's loyalty to Rome's emperor, leading to clashes and desecration of synagogues.
These incidents are known as the Alexandrian pogroms. Caligula's intervention and removal of the Roman governor, Flaccus, helps bring an end to the violence.
In the first century AD, alchemy makes its earliest recorded appearance in Mary the Jewess (Maria Prophetissa). She's considered by later Zosimos of Panopolis to be the first true alchemist. Alexandria becomes known as a center of the innovative new art of alchemy.
In 115 AD, Alexandria faces significant destruction during the Kitos War, presenting Emperor Hadrian and his architect, Decriannus, a unique opportunity to rebuild. This phase helps restore the city's physical infrastructure as well as confidence.
In 215 AD, Emperor Caracalla's visit to Alexandria takes dark turn due to satirical insults directed towards him by locals. In a drastic response, Caracalla ordered his troops to execute all young men capable of bearing arms.
In 295 AD, Alexandria supports a pretender against Imperial Rome. When the usurper dies, the Emperor regains control after a months-long siege. Diocletian takes away Alexandria's right to mint its own coinage, imposes a census, then returns to persecuting Christians.
Around 300 AD Zosimos of Panopolis appears on the scene. Writer, alchemist, teacher, Gnostic philosopher, Zosimos has his finger on the pulse of Alexandria. He praises Mary the Jewess and Alexandria the Alchemist, and advises against trusting Paphnutia the Virgin.
Zosimos provides one of the first definitions of alchemy as the study of
"the composition of waters, movement, growth, embodying and disembodying, drawing the spirits from bodies and bonding the spirits within bodies."
Many types of thought converge on Alexandria. Hermeticism also begins here, based on the combination of the Egyptian god Thoth and Greek Hermes. The prophet Hermes Trismegistus writes several works based on his visions and experiences, including the Emerald Tablet.
Zosimos goes on to list inventions by Mary and his alchemical contemporaries. He chronicles the infusion of wines and explains the Gnostic philosophy about fallen angels who give the secrets of metalworking to the human women they love, and thus did mortals learn metallurgy.
Alchemy comes from metallurgy as a way to color metals, gemology as a way to color gems, and ancient medicine as a way to combine, experiment with and create effective medications. Its spiritual aspects attract seekers of all ages, genders and cultures.
Tragic events continue to shape Alexandria's history, as on 21 July 365 AD, the city is struck with a devastating tsunami triggered by the 365 Crete earthquake. This natural disaster leaves a profound impact on Alexandria, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
The aftermath of this catastrophic event lingers for years. The anniversary of the tsunami is solemnly remembered as a "day of horror" in memory of the lives lost and the city's enduring resilience in the face of adversity.
In 415 AD the murder of Neoplatonist scholar Hypatia by a Christian mob sends waves of shock through the city. A confident, public figure, Hypatia is dragged from her carriage into a temple and flayed alive with pottery sherds.
The Christians are Parabalani, groups created by the authorities to tend to the sick and dying during plagues. They don't have much choice. They are prisoners, vagrants and others low on the social ladder. They also become military bodyguards to the local Bishop.
It's thought Hypatia's death is politically motivated, as she has influence over a magistrate who opposes the Bishop. The incident shows the cracks in the lovely face of Alexandria.
Olympiodorus (c. 500 to 565 AD) and Stephanus (c. 580 - 640 AD) are among the last intellectuals of the tarnished jewel that is Alexandria. Stephanus moves to Constantinople before the Islamic conquest of Egypt in the 7th century, bringing wisdom of an ancient age.
Islamic Conquest
Around 619, Alexandria is conquered by the Sassanid Persians. In 641-2, the Arabs, led by general 'Amr ibn al-'As, capture the city following a 14-month siege. Utba ibn Abi Sufyan, the first Arab governor of Egypt to visit Alexandria, builds a governor's palace there c. 664–665.
When referring to Alexandria, Ibn Battuta mentions several Muslim saints who lived in the city. One notable saint is Imam Borhan Oddin El Aaraj, known for his reputed miracles. The Islamic conquest results in vast stores of knowledge infusing Muslim lands.
Inspired by Egyptian and Greek thought, Islamic alchemists translate, record and build on the works of Alexandrians. A trove of texts by Zosimos is discovered 1995. The Muslims consider Mary a sage, calling her Daughter of Plato (also applied to white or purified sulfur).
Agathodaemon
The pagan patron of Alexandria is the wise snake god Agathodaemon or Agathos Daemon, meaning "wise spirit". The coiled snake is shown with a thyrsus and caduceus, symbolizing fertility and medicine respectively.
Agathos Daemon is also a household god. It's common to place small statues or symbols of a deity in the home as a lucky spirits. A few drops of wine are poured out for Agathodaemon at the end of a meal. An Alexandrian mage c. 300 also calls himself Agathodaemon.
Snakes are considered fortunate for fertility of land and animals, including people; able to cross boundaries of life and death, they represent hidden knowledge, medicine and health. In Greek myth, medicine god Asclepius gets his knowledge of reviving the dead from two snakes.
Alexandria maintains its esteemed status for nearly a thousand years, spanning the eras of Roman and Eastern Roman dominion. After the Muslim conquest a new capital is established at Fustat, later becoming part of Cairo.
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