Hellenistic Alexandria: Foundation, Urban Growth, and Institutions (331–30 BCE)

1. Alexander founds Alexandria in Egypt

   Apr 1, 331 BCELabels: Alexander the, City of

   • Britannica
   • Alexandria

2. Ptolemy seizes Alexander’s body for Egypt

   Jan 1, 321 BCELabels: Ptolemy I, Royal cult

   • Ptolemy I
   • Tomb

3. Heptastadion causeway links city to Pharos

   Jan 1, 300 BCELabels: Heptastadion, Pharos Island

   • Heptastadion
   • Alexandria

4. Library and Mouseion planned under Ptolemy I

   Jan 1, 295 BCELabels: Ptolemy I, Mouseion

   • Britannica
   • Museum

5. Library expands under Ptolemy II Philadelphus

   Jan 1, 285 BCELabels: Ptolemy II, Library of

   • Library
   • Britannica

6. Lighthouse of Alexandria completed on Pharos

   Jan 1, 280 BCELabels: Pharos Lighthouse, Ptolemy II

   • Britannica
   • Lighthouse

7. Serapeum constructed under Ptolemy III Euergetes

   Jan 1, 246 BCELabels: Serapeum, Ptolemy III

   • Serapeum

8. Battle of Raphia secures Coele-Syria temporarily

   Jun 22, 217 BCELabels: Battle of, Ptolemy IV

   • Raphia

9. Letter of Aristeas circulates in Alexandria

   Jan 1, 150 BCELabels: Letter of, Alexandrian Judaism

   • Britannica
   • Aristeas

10. Caesar’s Alexandrian war damages harbor district

    Dec 1, 48 BCELabels: Caesar's Alexandrian, Alexandria harbor

    • Siege
    • TIME

11. Caesarion proclaimed co-ruler with Cleopatra VII

    Sep 2, 44 BCELabels: Cleopatra VII, Caesarion

    • Caesarion

12. Battle of Actium triggers Alexandria’s final crisis

    Sep 2, 31 BCELabels: Battle of, Octavian

    • Britannica

13. Octavian takes Alexandria; Ptolemaic rule ends

    Aug 1, 30 BCELabels: Octavian, Roman Egypt

    • Britannica
    • Cleopatra