Alexandria was the capital city of the Ptolemaic empire, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. Located on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, it was known for its prosperous ports, lighthouse, and temples. The city was designed by Greek architects on a grid pattern with wide main street roads, and enclosed by the Gate of the Sun and the Gate of the Moon. The Great Harbor was the busiest trading center in the Mediterranean and the palace area was the Ptolemaic royal display of wealth and splendor. Notable structures included the Great Library of Alexandria, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Serapeum, the Ptolemaic royal necropolis Soma, and the Theater of Dionysus. The Great Library was famous for its vast collection and was a reminder of Alexandria's cultural significance. The Serapeum was a religious complex and the largest temple dedicated to Serapis. Alexandria was a significant city of the ancient world, renowned for its diversity and cultural exchange. It was an integral part of the Roman Empire after the battle of Actium but still thrived as a business center in the Mediterranean.

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