From its very beginning, Alexandria was destined to perform several functions : as a Greek city-state ( polis ), as the capital of Egypt, as a centre for world trade and as a centre of learning. These multiple functions invariably attracted a variety of races from various cultures, thus Egyptians, Macedonians, Greeks of mixed extractions, Syrians, Nubians, Jews, Persians, Indians and even Carthaginians as well as Romans could be seen intermingled in the streets of Alexandria. In other words, cosmopolitanism was a dominant characteristic of the life of the city. Already by the middle of the third century B.C., Alexandria appears to have attained a remarkable degree of grandeur and fame and to have enjoyed many attractions. In one of his amusing mimes, Herodas describes the city as "a place where everything imaginable could be found, "wealth, palaestrae, power, prosperity, glory, shows, philosophers, gold, youth, the temple of the Adelphoi, the generous king, Mouseion, wine, all the good things you may desire, and women more numerous than heavenly stars who could compete in beauty with the goddesses who sought the judgment of Paris." A combination of attractions enough to turn any man's head and heart!"
It was Ptolemy I who appears to have been the first to put Alexandria on that track. Around 300 B.C. he took the first initial steps towards promoting the concept of Alexandria as a cultural centre. He invited many Greek men of letters, among whom was Hecataeus of Abdera, to write Egyptian histories Aegyptiaca . We understand from Hecataeus (apud Diodorus I.46.8) that the work was made possible with the collaboration of Egyptian priests who were required "to provide the facts from their sacred records." During the city's three earliest centuries, it was perhaps the leading cultural centre of the world, housing people of different religions and philosophical orientations. Alexandria was famous for the extensive library, which in the 3rd century BCE was said to contain 500,000 volumes. Additionally, Alexandria was renowned for the lighthouse of Pharos. A third landmark of Alexandria, the Mouseion, was a centre of research, with laboratories and observatories. Alexandria was the very first centre for Biblical studies, and it was here that the Old Testament assembled in a form very similar to its present one.
Even earlier than this, Alexandria was the seat of the formation of the important cult of Serapis, a synthesis of Greek and Egyptian mythology. Other sciences were practiced in Alexandria as well, and scholars like Euclid and Erasthosthenes worked here.
With its architecture at that time, Alexandria could easily compete with Rome and Athens.
Alexandria was also an important trading post between Europe and Asia, because it profited from the easy overland connection between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
323 BCE: Alexander the Great is buried in Alexandria.
305 BCE: Alexandria is made the capital of the kingdom of the Ptolomies.
3rd century BCE: The library of Alexandria is reported to consist of 500,000 volumes.
31 BCE: Ptolemaic forces are beaten by the Romans, and Alexandria falls under Roman control.
116 CE: A revolt among local Jews leads to an annihilation of the Jewish community, and heavy destruction of the city.
215: An ordering to massacre the male population of Alexandria is given by the Roman emperor, Caracalla.
284: Strong persecution of the Christians, and thousands are killed. According to the history of the Coptic church, 144,000 were killed.
4th century: Alexandria is weakened by insurrection, civil war, famine and disease. 391: The Coptic Patriarch instigates violent actions upon the pagan communities in Alexandria, and the temple and library of Serapis are sacked. Among those killed is the famous female scholar Hypatia.
638: Alexandria is besieged and destroyed by Muslim troops, and then abandoned.
646: Alexandria is once again put under Muslim attack, and heavily destroyed. After conquering the city, the Muslims give little attention to Alexandria, and the real decline of the city begins.
968: With the establishment of Cairo as capital and cultural centre, Alexandria loses forever its position as the most important city of Egypt.
15th century: With the opening of the direct sea route from Europe to Asia, around Africa, Alexandria's central position as an important seaport for trade between Europe and Asia is strongly weakened.
1798: The French general Napoleon takes control of Alexandria. At this time, Alexandria is only a small fishing town of about 5,000 inhabitants. With Napoleon, much of Alexandria's old strategic importance is briefly resurrected.
1801: Napoleon's troops lose control over Alexandria.
1820: The Mahmudiyya Canal, which links Alexandria to the Nile, is opened. With this, Alexandria's economy is revived, and its population experiences a strong increase in the decades that follow. The canal also serves to irrigate the surrounding land, breaking ground for better agriculture. There is also a strong immigration from Europe, which paints the city with an international character and ambience.
1869: The opening of the Suez Canal adds more to the importance of Alexandria, as this leads to an heavy increase in marine traffic in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
1957: All French and British citizens are expelled in reaction to the acts of Western powers during the Suez-Sinai War of 1956. This war also initiates the large exodus of Jews. Following this, there are also strong actions to reclaim the Egyptian image of the city, and this changes its face forever.
—The tradition of moving the seat of the government, from Cairo to Alexandria for the summer months, ends.
