Bible Geography · Egypt · c. 331 BC – Present
Alexandria
Description
Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and became the intellectual capital of the Hellenistic world. Home to the famous Library of Alexandria and the Pharos lighthouse, it was second only to Rome as the largest city in the Mediterranean world, with a large Jewish community.
Significance
Alexandria was where the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, was produced, making the Scriptures accessible to Greek-speaking Jews and Gentiles throughout the Roman world. Apollos, a powerful New Testament evangelist, came from Alexandria. Early church fathers like Clement and Origen were Alexandrian theologians.
Key Events
Translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek (the Septuagint) around 250–100 BC; the flight of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15); Apollos learning the faith in Alexandria and then powerfully ministering in Achaia (Acts 18:24–28).
Modern Context
Alexandria remains Egypt's second-largest city and a major Mediterranean port. The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina was built near the site of the ancient library. Ancient ruins are mostly beneath the modern city or submerged underwater in the harbor.