II.

Places of Interest

The ancient city was about 6.4 km (4 mi) long, and constructed symmetrically, with roads crossing at right angles and colonnades adorning the principal streets. The most magnificent district, the Brucheium, was situated on the eastern harbour. Farther west was the Serapeion, or temple of the Egyptian deity Serapis; the Soma, or mausoleum of Alexander and the Ptolemies; the Poseidonium, or temple of Poseidon, god of the sea; the museum; the great theatre; and the emporium, or exchange. The north-eastern quarter was occupied by the Jews. In Alexandria the Jews came into contact with Greek learning, which was to have a profound influence on later religious thought; here the Greek translation of the Old Testament, called the Septuagint, was made before ad 100. Later philosophers attempted to fuse the doctrines of Christianity with the ideals of Greek philosophy. A noteworthy archaeological site of Abu Mena, an early Christian sanctuary, is nearby; it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and was inscribed on the list of World Heritage in Danger in 2001.