Alexander the Great Crowned Pharaoh of Egypt on This Day in 332 BC
On 14 November 332 BC, Alexander the Great was crowned pharaoh of Egypt, marking the start of a new era for the ancient kingdom.
Illustration: AI-generated image
On this day in 332 BC, Alexander the Great was crowned pharaoh of Egypt in the city of Memphis. The Macedonian king had already earned a fearsome reputation after his siege of Tyre, prompting many Egyptian cities to surrender without a fight as he advanced towards the Nile.
Despite facing fortified positions on the Sinai Peninsula, Alexander quickly overcame them and was welcomed by a delegation that escorted him to Memphis. There, on 14 November, he was formally recognised as Egypt's ruler, a title that placed one of the ancient world's richest regions under his control.
Understanding the importance of local traditions, Alexander made a point of visiting Egyptian temples to show respect for their customs. He also learned about religious groups that had been suppressed under Persian rule and announced funding for new temples dedicated to them, further boosting his popularity among the Egyptian people.
One of his most lasting decisions was the order to build a new city on the Mediterranean coast, named Alexandria after himself. The city would grow into a major centre of culture and learning, famous for its lighthouse and library, and became a symbol of the blending of Greek and Egyptian traditions.
After spending only a few months in Egypt, Alexander departed in the spring of 331 BC to continue his campaign against the Persian Empire. He left the administration of Egypt in the hands of both his own commanders and local Egyptians, a move that helped prevent internal power struggles. He also reformed the tax system to mirror the Greek model, which pleased the Egyptian elite.
Following Alexander's death, his empire was divided among his generals. Ptolemy, one of his most trusted commanders, took control of Egypt and brought Alexander's body to Alexandria, where he had himself crowned pharaoh. This established the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt for around three hundred years until the death of Cleopatra, after which Egypt became a Roman province.
