Ancient History of Alexandria and the Ptolemaic Dynasty

Alexandrian Background

• Around 331 BC, Alexandria became the new capital of Egypt after Alexander the Great invaded and took over Egypt.
• Alexander the Great died in 323 BC, and his tomb is now located in Alexandria, which has become a popular tourist destination, even visited by Julius Caesar.

Ptolemaic Dynasty

• The Ptolemies were the longest and final dynasty of Ancient Egypt.
• Claudius Ptolemy was a Greek mathematician, astronomer, and geographer who lived during this dynasty.

Contributions of Claudius Ptolemy

• He reinforced the idea that the Earth was at the center of the universe, a controversial concept in the history of science.
• Claudius Ptolemy was the first to use longitudinal and latitudinal lines, introducing the concept of a global coordinate system.
• This idea was highly influential and laid the foundation for the modern system used today.

Take a journey through the ancient history of Alexandria, from its founding to the Ptolemaic dynasty. Learn about the great rulers, including Alexander the Great and Claudius Ptolemy, and their contributions to the city. Test your knowledge of this fascinating period in history!