Alexandria, Egypt was founded by Alexander the Great in April 331 BC ,and became the capital of the Graeco-Egyptian world. The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria also was called "The Pearl of the Mediterranean". The ancient port city was home for one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - The Pharos of Alexandria (The Lighthouse of Alexandria). The port served as a primary center for commerce and trade linking Europe with the Middle East and all other points along the Mediterranean Sea.
It was an important route for merchants and travelers of ancient times that allowed for trade and cultural exchange between emergent peoples of the region. Within a few generations Alexandria become the largest city in the world second only to Rome. Much of the city design and construction came under the rule of Ptolemy and his successors, later by the Roman Empire. The city was not only a center for trade but also became the worlds first center for cultural and scientific research. The Musaeum at Alexandria (Museum of Alexander) also known as the Library of Alexandria become an important world center for Greek music, poetry, a philosophical school and library. The famous institution brought together some of the best scholars of the Hellenistic world paving the way for advancing the study of mathematics, astrology, anatomy to name a few. Alexandria also served as the setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Julios Ceasar and Mark Antony. The city remained an important trading port until a series of eartquakes and tidal waves pushed the city into decline. By the time Napoleon landed he found a sparsely populated fishing village.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World built on the island of Pharos. It was constructed early in the Ptolemaic period, in the 3rd century BC (between 285 and 247 BC). The building was designed by Sostratus and initiated by Satrap Ptolemy I of Egypt, Egypt's first Hellenistic ruler. The building was completed during the reign of his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphos.
The lighthouse was built originally as a daytime landmark only, later evolving into a functional lighthouse towards the Roman period. It was built of large light-colored stone with molten lead poured between to lock in the blocks from the pounding of the sea. The lighthouse was built in three distinct structures, the first a square-like rectagular box as a base, the second a 8 sided tower and on top of the tower was a cylinder that extended up to an open cupola where the fire that provided the light burned. It has been said that the lighthouse housed a spiral staircase or ramp that would lead near the top. A series of elevators or dumbwaiters brought the fuel to the top chamber. The ramp would have allowed mules to pull carts of wood or fuel to light the flame at night. At the top of the structure stood a statue of Poseidon. The exact total height of the structure is not known but it is estimated at between 115 and 135 m (380 and 440 ft). This would have made the Lighthouse the tallest structure in the ancient world (besides the Great Pyramid at Giza) for centuries to come.
There is specualtion that the Lighthouse housed a large curved mirror, probably made of polished metal, that was able to project out into the Mediterranean for 30 miles. There is some doubt this was possible as the Earth's horizon may have prevented this from happening. It was also been said that the mirror collected the Sun's rays to be so powerful that it could burn ships at sea. Most likely this was implausible. Nonetheless the Lighthouse of Alexandria served a functional role as a landmark for mariners and a symbol of power and technological advancement in the ancient world.
The Lighthouse stood for nearly 1,500 years until it was badly damaged in a series of natural disasters. In 956 AD and yet again in 1303 and 1323. The lighhouse succumbed to earthquakes that eventually sent it crumbling on to itself and also on the floor of the Mediterranean Sea. Other possiblities to its destruction indicate a tidal wave that may have toppled the lighthouse and also helped to destroy the palaces and port structures close to the shore. After the destruction the Sultan of Egypt, Qaitbay, built a medieval fort on the former location of the lighthouse using some of the fallen stone. There are remnants of the Pharos that were incorporated into the walls of Fort Qaitbay. The fort still stands today.
Library of Alexandria
Coming Soon
The Royal Library of Alexandria was once the largest library in the world. It is generally thought to have been founded at the beginning of the 3rd century BC, during the reign of Ptolemy II after his father had built what would become the first part of the library complex: the temple of the Muses - the "Musaion".
Cleopatra's Reign in Alexandria
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Cleopatra VII Philopator (January 69 BC – August 12, 30 BC) was the last Pharaoh of Egypt's Ptolemaic dynasty. 
She originally shared power with her father Ptolemy XII Auletes and later with her brothers Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV, whom she also married, but eventually gained sole rule. As pharaoh, she consummated a liaison with Gaius Julius Caesar that solidified her grip on the throne. She later elevated her son with Caesar, Caesarion, to co-ruler in name.
Alexandria Egypt
Sketches - March 2010
The port of Alexandria Egypt taken from the west looking east. Royal Palaces in the foreground 
The city of Alexandria Egypt taken from the west looking east. 
The port of Alexandria Egypt taken from the north looking south. 
The port of Alexandria Egypt taken from the north looking south. 
Written and illustrated by Decimus