Ancient Alexandria Flashcards
(10 cards)
What did Alexander the Great find when he first came to Alexandria?
fertile agricultural land, a good harbour near the mouth of the Nile, a healthy climate, a fresh water supply, limestone quarries nearby to provide stone for building
Trade in Alexandria?
direct access to the Nile and the coast, great meeting point in between journeys, offers safe harbors for sailors, large warehouses for storing things, busy markets for buying and selling
Alexandria’s key imports?
Greek bronze statues, Italian wines, wood, marble, copper, oil
Alexandria’s key exports?
Wheat, papyrus, glassware, clothing, perfumes, spices
What is the Pharos?
The Pharos is a lighthouse (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world) and is over 135 metres high
What was the Royal Quarter?
An area containing palaces, temples and gardens
What was the Caesareum?
A large temple dedicated to the Emperor Augustus, full of precious paintings, statues, libraries and courtyards
What were the Obelisks?
two obelisks stood in front of the Caesareum.
Integration in Alexandria?
Egyptians, Jews, Romans, Africans, Indians all lived in the city, but Greeks had the power even though the city was under Roman rule. The official language was Greek and the Greeks held most of the wealth.
What was the Museum
A university situated in the Royal Quarter. It contained the largest library of the ancient world, home to more than half a million volumes. the first maps of the world were drawn in the Museum and it was here that Aristorchas put forward the theory that the Earth revolves around the sun.
