The Significance of Alexandria

The significance of Alexandria can be gauged by the fact that when the Muslims conquered Alexandria, the city was considered its capital city. After Constantinople, this was known as the second largest city of Byzantine rule. Furthermore, this was also the world’s first trading city. The Byzantines knew very well that if the Muslims were to conquer this city, it would pose dire consequences. It was out of this fear that Heraclius said that if the Arabs overtook Alexandria, the Byzantines would be ruined.

Heraclius started preparing to fight the Muslims himself but died during his preparations, and his son Constantine succeeded him as the ruler. Alexandria was unique to its prominent structures, large forts, location and a large number of guards.