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|Discovery of Alexandria’s Portus Magnus |
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Alexandria
The legendary sunken parts of the ancient city of Alexandria, lost for over 1,600
years, have been discovered through the archaeological work of underwater archaeologist
Franck Goddio and his team in 1992. After extensive research, detailed topographical
surveys with the use of sophisticated electronic equipment, and careful excavations
in Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour, Franck Goddio presented the unique discoveries
and the new map of the ancient Portus Magnus of Alexandria for the first time to
the public in 1996.
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|The History behind
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What happened?
For centuries, archaeologists tried to discover this legendary city, known to have
been the stage setting for the dramas between Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Marc Antony
und Octavius. But the royal city of the last Egyptian Dynasty (Ptolemaic Dynasty),
where Cleopatra VII, the last queen of ancient Egypt, ruled and died, was lost in
a series of natural disasters - until Franck Goddio brought these myths to reality.
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When in time?
Alexandria was founded in 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great. After the last Egyptian
queen, Cleopatra VII, took her own life in 30 B.C., Egypt became nothing more
than a Roman province. The royal quarters sank beneath the sea after a series of
earthquakes and tidal waves. They had led to gradual subsidence in the 4th century
A.D.
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Where did it happen?
Alexandria was the largest and most magnificent city in antiquity. For many years
the architecture and culture of Rome itself were overshadowed by the Egyptian city.
Palaces and temples dominated the skyline in a city whose population had already
passed the 100,000 mark shortly after its founding. Near by the 130 metres high
lighthouse was built, representing one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Alexandria was also famous for its huge library with about half a million roles
of papyrus. Parts of the royal quarter with its temples, palaces and royal gardens
were situated in Alexandria’s eastern harbour where Julius Caesar, Marc Anthony
and the famous Cleopatra used to stay.
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