Dan Snow's History Hit Alexandria
Oct 7, 2025
Join Islam Issa, Professor of English and author of 'Alexandria: The City that Changed the World', as he explores the fascinating history of Alexandria. Discover how Alexander the Great's vision birthed a multicultural metropolis and the iconic Great Library. Islam delves into the architectural marvels like the Pharos lighthouse and discusses the city's role as a sanctuary for scholars including Hypatia and Euclid. He also reflects on Alexandria's enduring legacy, from its strategic significance to its unique customs that continue to thrive today.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
A City Built By Design
- Alexandria was a deliberate, planned city built on an uninhabited island and nearby villages rather than an organic settlement.
- Its founders envisioned a multicultural trade hub where diverse peoples kept their own cultures and faiths to boost economy and exchange.
Knowledge As Statecraft
- The Ptolemaic rulers believed collecting global knowledge granted political power and prestige.
- Creating and guarding the world's books became statecraft, tying scholarship to soft power.
Surviving Urban Geometry
- Hippodamus' grid planning and promenade orientation survive in modern Alexandria's street layout.
- The original plan deliberately angled the promenade to benefit from sea breezes and shelter the city.
