The Roman Age

Many of the Roman emperors were interested in Alexandria and some of them visited it. To commemorate his visit Octavian founded a new town to the east of Alexandria, which was called Nicopolis, or the city of Victory.

During the reign of Trajan (98-117) fighting broke out between the Greeks and the Jews, the two important elements of the population of Alexandria. The damage done in the city must have been great.

Hadrian (117-138) On his visit to the city restored, the temple of Serapis which had been destroyed during the troubles. It seems that the emperor was interested in the cult of Serapis for he issued coins with the representation of the God, and in the ruins of Serapeum of Alexandria was found the beautiful statue of Serapis in the form of the Apis bull which carries the name of Hardian.

Antonius Pius (138-161 AD) also visited Alexandria and built a hippodrome and the two gates at both ends of the Canopic street, the gate to the east known as Sun Gate and the one to the west called the Moon Gate.

During the reign of Aurelian (270 AD) Alexandria revolted. He marched against the city, drove the
rebels into the Bruchium (the royal district) where he forced them to surrender. The Bruchium and
the walls of the city were destroyed during the struggle.

In the time of Diocletian (284-305 AD) disturbances broke out in Alexandria. The emperor was
obliged to come to Egypt in person to put down the revolt; he besieged the city for eight months and finally took it by force.

BIBLEOGRAPHY:

1- World Book Encyclopedia
2-Alexandria, An Archeological Guide to the City