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The History of Alexandria, Egypt Ancient Times The second largest city and the main port of Egypt, Alexandria was built by the Greek architect Dinocrates (332-331 BC)on the site of an old village, Rhakotis, at the orders of Alexander the Great. The city, immortalizing Alexander's name, quickly flourished into a prominent cutural, intellectual, political, and economic metropolis, the remains of which are still evident to this day. But long before Alexander the Great visited the site of Alexandria, Homer had written about Pharos in his Odyssey. What remains of the prehistoric harbor have been found off the shores of the island, now the peninsula of Ras-El-Tin. Opposite of Pharos, on the Egyptian mainland, was a small village centered around the area where "Pompey's Pillar" now stands. It was called Rhakotis. Archeological evidence suggests that it existed as long ago as the 13th Century BC. Because the Ancient Egyptian civilization thrived mainly along the Nile River, very little is known about both Pharos and Rhakotis at that time. Was it a strategic defense base to repel raiders from the West? Was it an important city during the reign of King Nectanebo II, who was planning to be burried there? Probably throughout most of its ancient history, Rhakotis was merely a fishing village. The Came Alexander the Great When he reached Memphis in Egypt, he was welcome by the people who hated Persian rule. He was twenty five years old. Yet, he was King of Macedon. He was the hailed conqueror who started a long journey through Greece, Asia Minor, and Syria, sweeping both Greek and the Persian forces on his way. He had plans for a longer journey to Persia, Central Asia, and India. But first, he had to visit the Oasis of Siwa to consult the Oracle of Amun. While on his way, Alexander admired that stretch of land between the Mediterranean Sea and lake Mareotis, and the nearby island. He ordered a city to be founded there in order to serve as a regional capital. The location was ideal for it was intermediate between Greece across the Mediterranean and the rest of Egypt. At that time, the Nile was connected to the Red Sea through a canal, and Alexandria could serve as a gateway to the Indian Ocean. The city plan was designed by the Greek architect Dinocrates. The city walls outline was marked by Alexander himself. Egypt's new capital was born April 7, 331 BC. She was named after Alexander, yet he never saw a single building rise there. Only after his death, had he returned to her to be burried.
