Alexandria Flashcards
Give reasons why Alexandria was a good site for a city
Do not put reasons to do with trade or merchants
Agricultural land Good harbour/anchorage Fresh water Healthy climate Good supply of limestone
Who took over the city of Alexandria after Alexander’s death?
Ptolemy
Roughly how many people were living in Alexandria by the time Egypt became a Roman province?
1 million
Geographically speaking, how is Alexandria in an important position for trades and merchants?
It was at the meeting place of all trade routes, land and sea. People going from Asia to Africa and from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean would pass through, and would probably stop there. There is also a narrow strip of land joining Egypt to the Middle East, and Alexandria is right next to it, meaning anyone passing through that strip of land would have to pass through Alexandria.
What things in the city attracted merchants?
Good harbours with a lighthouse
Warehouses to store things
Markets to buy and sell
Plenty of workers to load and unload ships
Craftsmen who made things
Nile nearby, meaning that it was a great place for growing crops
Three things produced and exported in large quantities in Egypt there:
Wheat
Papyrus
Glassware
What was the lighthouse on an island in the harbour of Alexandria called?
Pharos
Describe Pharos
135metres high Pointed top Spiral staircase 2 statues of Ptolemy II and wife at the base of the lighthouse Constantly lit fire (top of lighthouse)
What was the Pharos built on?
An island called Pharos
What was Canopus street?
Alexandria’s Main Street
How wide was Canopus street? Compare its size with the streets in Pompeii and Rome.
30metres wide
Four times bigger than any street in Pompeii
Wider than any street in Rome
What was the Caesareum?
A shrine originally built by Cleopatra in honour of the Roman general Marcus Antonius. It was completed by the first Roman emperor, emperor Augustus, as a temple dedicated to himself.
How big was the Royal Quarter? Describe the Royal quarter
More than 260 hectares big, containing palaces, temples and gardens
What were the two obelisks in front of the Caesareum called?
Cleopatra’s needles
What was the Museum really?
A university
