Alexandria and Greek Culture - Essay Example

Name: Greek Culture Institution: Date: Greek Culture Alexandria, the second largest and developed city in Egypt, consists of a more Mediterranean atmosphere compared to the Middle Eastern. Despite its non-distant location from Cairo (225km), Alexandria’s cultural heritage and ambiance defines its apartness from other towns in Egypt. The city was founded in 331 BC by “Alexander the Great,” and it afterwards became Greco-Roman’s capital in Egypt. The status of Alexandria as a cultural beacon is exposed by the existence of pharaohs, the historical lighthouse that existed among “the Seven Wonders of the World.” The city holds a unique position in the whole Egyptian fraternity, as every consequent year; Egyptians visit its shores for a summer vacation. Popular by its fresh food catch of the Mediterranean Sea and its well-built restaurants, Alexandria attracts quite a number of visitors, whom are additionally fascinated by the Alexandria Corniche. Alexandria is also popularized by its artists and writers of all races, and thus, maintains its focal responsibility of holding several cultural events annually. Among the writers who have immortalized Alexandria include Cavafy and E.M. Forster, and most frequent immigrant generations in the city include the Greek, Levenant and Italians. It is the frequent visitors to Alexandria (from both western and eastern Europe), who synonymously converted is cultural dimension to a more commercial, bohemian, and cosmopolitan inclusion. Alexandria’s development and advancement in both culturally and in terms of its structures and technology, and its emulation of Italian, Greece and Levenant’s dimensions of development, (including the strong ties they shared) is what defines Lawrence Durrell’s description regarding it being the” capital city of Asiatic-Europe.” The history of Alexander the great, before other factors, is the main factor that led to the advent of Alexandria, the developed nature of the today Alexandria, and thus its qualification to be regarded as the Capital city of Asiatic Europe. Greece’s strategic position in between Asia, Europe, and Africa (Asiatic Europe), and its investment in making Alexandria the center of Hellenistic world, Greek World, and international commerce, primarily explains Alexandria’s advent of being a capital city of Asiatic Europe, as described by Lawrence (Rahman 2013). “Alexander the Great” acquired Egypt during his early voyages of conquests. Alexander respected Egyptians customs and religions, and was declared an Egyptian pharaoh by the Egyptian priest. He consequently founded Alexandria city prior to his death, and his appealing empire underwent a series of divisions among his successors. Egypt was consequently left at the hands of Soter Ptolemy. Inheriting the ruined “Tyre” trade and developing to a commercial centre between the East India, Arabs, and the Europeans, Alexandria registered a series of successful development end growth in not more than a one generation (Stiros 2001). Within a period of one century, the city had developed to be the largest on earth, and afterwards, the second after Rome. Alexandria therefore became the major city of the Greek, with the city composing of extraordinary mixtures of Greeks originating from various backgrounds and cities. A Hellenistic city by nomination, Alexandria registered a remarkable extension of its Roman Times Senate, with the judicial responsibilities of the senate restored by Severus Septimus (Mubarakpuri 2005). Durrell’s description of Alexandria as a capital city of Asiatic Europe is enhanced firstly, by Greece’s strong historic and cultural relations with Alexandria. Greek has a strategically-located geopolitical jurisdiction (between Western Asia, Europe and Africa), and in addition to the city’s developed model, its inhabitants had strong connections with “Alexandria the Great,” who is a Greek that founded the city. Greece and Egypt, due to Alexandria, is recently witnessed to share warm diplomatic ties, considering one another as a friendly country. In addition to the diplomatic ties, Egypt has quite a large number of the Greek community mostly concentrated in Alexandria, Egypt’s second developed and largest city (El-Daly 2005). The countries therefore, anonymously share development factors, with agreements based on defense cooperation, economy, tourism, and trade signed by their respective governments. The strong relations shared by Greece and Egypt (Alexandria) therefore, explains Lawrence Durrell’s description of it being the capital city of Asiatic Europe. Secondly, the increased presence of the Greek in Alexandria, considering that Greece is located between Asia, Europe, and Africa (qualifying to be a feature of the Asiatic Europe), defines Durrell’s description of the Alexandria as the capital city of Asiatic Europe. The Greek that were based in Alexandria additionally developed the city, contributing to its advanced financial life. As a consequence, they built the first and developed banks in Alexandria such as the “Bank of Alexandria” (El-Daly 2005). Thirdly, Alexandria’s development in cotton, which makes it qualify as the largest capital city of Egypt, is associated with the Greek farmers and agriculturalists, who used a system of scientific planning in the cultivation of tobacco and cotton (Baskin & Seeskin 2010) They further improved on the quality and quantity of the tobacco and cotton production, and have registered great dominance in the products’ commercial exports. Among the families that portrayed great dominance in the commercial agriculture of Alexandria include the Zervoudachis, Rodochanakis, Benakis, and the Salvagos. An impending commercial tie between Egypt and Greece was therefore established, with an accompanying development of other areas such as printing industries, wood crafts, wine, foods, and soap (Baskin & Seeskin 2010). Fourthly, Alexandria was a heritage to a large number of the Jewish community worldwide. The Septuagint, Greece’s version of the Bible, (which incorporated mainly the writings of Torah) was produced in Alexandria. Early Ptolemies fostered the national museum’s development in Alexandria, and maintained its development, fostering three largest variations of ethnic groups: the Egyptian, Greek, and Jewish (Mubarakpuri 2005). The museum developed to become the top Hellenistic learning center in the world (“Library of Alexandria”), and maintained the three distinction of the Alexandria population (the Egyptian, Greek, and Jewish) (Mehrez 2008). Fifthly, as a consequence of Alexandra’s close relations and ties with Arabs, who later invaded the city and converted it to an Islamic Empire, Alexandria witnessed quite a large number of foreign trader establishing trade routes through the Alexandria port. In addition to the trade routes, excellent and well-defined highways and railroads connect the zealous city to the capital city of Egypt, Cairo (Rahman 2013). Sixthly, Alexandria is described as the capital of Asiatic Europe, since it is a cooling beacon for religious prophets, curious tourists, merchants, and a paramount research centre for the finest intelligent personnel in the world (El-Daly 2005). Alexandria’s diversity in religion, in terms of Islam and Christianity religions represents the two main religions of Asiatic Europe, and thus would best serve as the capital city of Asiatic Europe, according to Lawrence Durell. In terms of Islamic religion, Alexandria consists of a popular mosque called the “El Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque, which is located in Bahary, Alexandria. Other popular mosques in Alexandria include the Sultan mosque, Sidi Gaber, Yehia, Al Qa’ed Ibrahim, Al-Shohadaa, Shraq al-Madina, and “Hoda el-Islam.” Islamic religion was introduced by the Arabs, thus enabling Alexandria to be the Salafi Movement’s center in Egypt (Tawfik Hamid 2013). Christianity, on the other hand, is equally best represented in Alexandria. Following the advent Constantinople and Rome, Alexandria was notably the 3rd most paramount in terms of the Christianity seat worldwide (Tawfik Hamid 2013). The “Pope of Alexandria” acquired the second position after the Roman Bishop, with the Alexandria church leading over several continents. Following the decline of the “Council of Chalcedon” the Church of Alexandria underwent a series of divisions between the Melkites and Miaphysites. The Miaphysites, afterwards constituted the “Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria,” and later on in the century, Protestant and Catholic missionaries converted some Orthodox Churches’ followers to their faiths (Khalil 2014). In the educational sector, Alexandria is equally developed, with several of its institutions following the education system of the Greek (Mehrez 2008). The city has recorded quite a large number of institutions of higher education such as the Alexandria University, which is a popular and developed university that adheres to the Egyptian education system, (which drew its history from Greece). Several of the university’s faculties are renowned internationally, most remarkably the “Faculty of Medicine.” Moreover, the “Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport” a semi-private institution of education, offers post-graduate, undergraduate, and high school-level programs in its faculties. The Arab Academy is as a result considered among the best universities in Egypt due to its recognition in the entire world. Other popular higher education institutions in the city include “Pharos University in Alexandria” and “Alexandria Institute of Technology” (Osman 2010). In terms of schools, Alexandria is justified according to Lawrence’s description, as the capital city of Asiatic Europe. The popular city consists of a long historical past of foreign school (Khalil 2014). The most paramount European schools located in Alexandria are run and managed by the Catholic missionaries, and they include, among others, “College Notre Dame de Sion,” “College de la Mere de Dieu,” and “College Saint Marc.” English schools also exist in Alexandria, and are equally popular. The most popular English schools in Alexandria include “Riada Language School,’ “Future Language School,” and “Future American School” among others (Osman 2010). In terms of Culture, ‘The Royal Library of Alexandria” was the biggest library worldwide. The library traced its foundation at the onset of the third century, being founded by Egyptian’s second Ptolemy. The library was built following Ptolemy’s father creation of the first segment of the complex, the “Muses” temple. Other museums that exist in Alexandria include the Alexandria National Museum, which was inaugurated in the 31st December of 2003, and which is situated in an Italian palace. The Alexandra Aquarium, the Royal Jewelry Museum, and the Graeco-Roman Museum include the recognized archive centers in Alexandria (Mubarakpuri 2005). The co-curricular activities associated with Alexandria additionally explain the City’s popularity and thus, a description that wells suits Asiatic Europe’s capital city according to Lawrence Durell. The major sport in the city is football, among others) (Jacquermond 2008). The Alexandria Stadium rests to be a several-purposed stadium, and is regularly used for football matches. The stadium, which holds more than 20,000 individuals, is one of the oldest in Egypt. Sea sports which include water polo, jet-skiing, and surfing are additionally participated in Alexandria, and the culture of skateboard is associated primarily to Alexandria. Other developed stadiums in Alexandria include El-Krom Stadium, Alexandra Stadium, Harras El-Hedoud Stadium, and the Borg El Arab Stadium. Other sports such as squash and tennis are often played in sports clubs and private social clubs such as Smouha SC, Accacia Country Club, Lagon resort Courts, Haras El Hodood Club, Koroum Club, El-Olympi Club, El-ittihad Club, Alexandria County Club, and Alexandria Sporting Club. Alexandria is also equipped in the field of literature, with two best known writers of Alexandria’s modern literature. One of the writers is a Greek poet called C.P. Cavafy, and the other is a Briton, born in India, called Lawrence Durell (Rahman 2013). Cavafy incorporated the history of Greece and its mythology, including his homosexuality, in his poetic works. Durell, on the other hand, used a cosmopolitan Alexandria as an outline of exploring the desires of man. Other writers include Keith Miller, Ki Longfellow and Grimword Couryenary Jon, who used the city as a speculative fiction setting. Examples of popular novels by popular writers include ‘The Alexandria Rhapsody by George Leonardos,’ ‘The Alexandria Quartet’ by Lawrence Durell,’ ‘Academic Year’ by D.J. Enright, and ‘Unreal City’ written by Liddell Robert. Alexandria also was popularized by its songs such as ‘Alexandria’ sang by Kamelot, Arabic songs, Greek songs, and French songs) (Jacquermond 2008). Alexandria is popular for its welcoming nature in the field of tourism. It is a major tourist attraction site and summer resort as a result of its private and public beaches and ancient Museum history. The ‘Bibliotheca Alexandria is an exceptional example of the city’s museum, which has a base and foundation in the revival of the popular Library of Alexandria. The main, among other tourist attraction sites in Alexandria include ‘the Cross Egypt Challenge.’ Drawing its onset in 2011, ‘Cross Egypt Challenge’ remains an internationally recognized scooter rally and motorcycle of the cross-country, conducted in within the most uncontrollable roads and trucks in Egypt. The popular city is recognized as the annual starting point in relation to the ‘Cross Egypt Challenge and an enormous celebrating festival is held the night prior to the official beginning of the rally, following the arrival of all international participants to Alexandria (El-Daly 2005). Finally, in terms of transport, Alexandria’s airline is best-served by the ‘Alexandria International Airport,’ which draws its location at approximately twenty-five kilometers from the city center. Alexandria’s highways are developed and are among the best in the Asiatic European scope. They include, among others, ‘Ta’ameer Road, which is located in the Northern Coat of Alexandria, ‘The Circular Road,’ The Agricultural Road,’ ‘The Desert Road,’ and finally the ‘international Coastal Road.’ In addition the developed roads, the city consists of advanced and equally developed rails. The city’s intercity commuter system of rail extends from its basic intercity rail station (‘Misr Station’), to a parallel located tram line at Abu Qir (Stiros 2001). The locomotives of the commuter line function with diesel, as an opposing factor to the tram of overhead electricity. As a consequence of a developed rail system, the city hosts two intercity rail stations: the ‘Sidi Gaber’ rail station, located in Sidi Gaber District, and the ‘Aforementioned Station,’ located in Manshia District, the Western side of Alexandria. Bothe the two stations are key servers of the commuter railway line (Mehrez 2008). In conclusion, Alexandria, the second capital city of Egypt, is described by Lawrence Durell as a capital city of the Asiatic Europe due to quite a number of factors. The factors that justify Durrell’s expression or description are primarily based on the city’s major association with the Greek civilization, which was traced when the city was considered as the centre of Hellenistic world. The city’s association with Greek Is of great paramount, since Greek is located in between the continents of Asia and Europe, and the fact that Alexandria was its center in its operations, gives it credit to be witnessed as a city of Asiatic Europe. Alexandria’s also associated, or rather interacted with other visitors in the past such as the Arabs, who greatly contributed to the today development of the city, and today’s culture of the people of Alexandria. For example, interacting with the Arabs explains the city’s involvement in Islamic activities, and building of Islamic mosques and laws. An interaction with the Greek, on the other hand, explains the city’s most recognizable cultures, including an adoption of the Christianity religion that was practiced by the Greece. Conclusion In relation to the increased interaction and influence of the early visitors to Alexandria, the city adopted a model of development in several observable fields, which include infrastructure, tourism, sports, its well-built buildings, literature, culture, and others. These observable and worldly recognized features of the city justifies the city’s popularity both in Asia and Europe, and are majorly as a result of the civilizations experienced by Alexandria in the past. It is therefore the remarkable developments in various fields and culture, and the increased interaction of Egyptians with the Greece, that justifies Lawrence Durrell’s expression and description of Alexandria as a capital city of the Asiatic Europe, if something like that existed. References Read More

He consequently founded Alexandria city prior to his death, and his appealing empire underwent a series of divisions among his successors. Egypt was consequently left at the hands of Soter Ptolemy. Inheriting the ruined “Tyre” trade and developing to a commercial centre between the East India, Arabs, and the Europeans, Alexandria registered a series of successful development end growth in not more than a one generation (Stiros 2001). Within a period of one century, the city had developed to be the largest on earth, and afterwards, the second after Rome.

Alexandria therefore became the major city of the Greek, with the city composing of extraordinary mixtures of Greeks originating from various backgrounds and cities. A Hellenistic city by nomination, Alexandria registered a remarkable extension of its Roman Times Senate, with the judicial responsibilities of the senate restored by Severus Septimus (Mubarakpuri 2005). Durrell’s description of Alexandria as a capital city of Asiatic Europe is enhanced firstly, by Greece’s strong historic and cultural relations with Alexandria.

Greek has a strategically-located geopolitical jurisdiction (between Western Asia, Europe and Africa), and in addition to the city’s developed model, its inhabitants had strong connections with “Alexandria the Great,” who is a Greek that founded the city. Greece and Egypt, due to Alexandria, is recently witnessed to share warm diplomatic ties, considering one another as a friendly country. In addition to the diplomatic ties, Egypt has quite a large number of the Greek community mostly concentrated in Alexandria, Egypt’s second developed and largest city (El-Daly 2005).

The countries therefore, anonymously share development factors, with agreements based on defense cooperation, economy, tourism, and trade signed by their respective governments. The strong relations shared by Greece and Egypt (Alexandria) therefore, explains Lawrence Durrell’s description of it being the capital city of Asiatic Europe. Secondly, the increased presence of the Greek in Alexandria, considering that Greece is located between Asia, Europe, and Africa (qualifying to be a feature of the Asiatic Europe), defines Durrell’s description of the Alexandria as the capital city of Asiatic Europe.

The Greek that were based in Alexandria additionally developed the city, contributing to its advanced financial life. As a consequence, they built the first and developed banks in Alexandria such as the “Bank of Alexandria” (El-Daly 2005). Thirdly, Alexandria’s development in cotton, which makes it qualify as the largest capital city of Egypt, is associated with the Greek farmers and agriculturalists, who used a system of scientific planning in the cultivation of tobacco and cotton (Baskin & Seeskin 2010) They further improved on the quality and quantity of the tobacco and cotton production, and have registered great dominance in the products’ commercial exports.

Among the families that portrayed great dominance in the commercial agriculture of Alexandria include the Zervoudachis, Rodochanakis, Benakis, and the Salvagos. An impending commercial tie between Egypt and Greece was therefore established, with an accompanying development of other areas such as printing industries, wood crafts, wine, foods, and soap (Baskin & Seeskin 2010). Fourthly, Alexandria was a heritage to a large number of the Jewish community worldwide. The Septuagint, Greece’s version of the Bible, (which incorporated mainly the writings of Torah) was produced in Alexandria.

Early Ptolemies fostered the national museum’s development in Alexandria, and maintained its development, fostering three largest variations of ethnic groups: the Egyptian, Greek, and Jewish (Mubarakpuri 2005). The museum developed to become the top Hellenistic learning center in the world (“Library of Alexandria”), and maintained the three distinction of the Alexandria population (the Egyptian, Greek, and Jewish) (Mehrez 2008).

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