15 #BIGGEST #Ancient #Port #Cities
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00:00Hey everybody, trade and commerce was a huge part of ancient cities, and thousands of years
00:05ago they built many impressive ports to export and import goods.
00:10So for today's video, I'm counting down 15 of the biggest and most impressive ancient
00:13port cities.
00:15Number 15.
00:16The Port of Dubrovnik The Port of Dubrovnik, formerly known as Ragusa,
00:20is an example of the city's rich maritime heritage.
00:23This port, located in a natural harbor beneath the imposing limestone cliffs of Mount Suric,
00:29has been a beacon of trade, diplomacy, and culture since its establishment in the 7th
00:34century.
00:35It's a key gateway between the East and West.
00:37Dubrovnik's port played a pivotal role in the ancient world, where the ebb and flow
00:41of goods, people, and ideas shaped its destiny.
00:44Its origins trace back to the 7th century, where it was founded by refugees fleeing the
00:49advancing Slavs.
00:50Initially under the protection of the Byzantine Empire, the city thrived due to the location,
00:54which allowed it to control vital maritime routes.
00:57By the 14th century, though, it had evolved into a free city-state, leveraging its autonomy
01:02to build a formidable naval fleet.
01:04This port became the lifeblood of the Republic of Ragusa, fostering economic prosperity and
01:08cultural growth.
01:10That earned it the moniker the South Slav Athens.
01:13Dubrovnik was a bustling hub of commerce.
01:16Ships laden with silk, spices, and precious metals from the East would dock here, their
01:20goods destined for markets across Europe.
01:23They exported local goods such as salt, wine, olive oil, and wool, while importing luxury
01:28items like glass, textile, and jewelry.
01:31The port warehouses were filled with these treasures, making Dubrovnik a city of immense
01:36wealth and influence.
01:3814.
01:40VENICE Ah, Venice, often celebrated for its canals
01:44and romantic allure, it was once the heart of a mighty maritime empire, the Republic
01:49of Venice.
01:50This floating city called the Venetian Lagoon off the Adriatic Sea was far more than just
01:55a bustling port for trade, it was a beacon of power, culture, and innovation.
02:00The story of Venice begins in the early medieval period when the city's founders sought safety
02:05in the marshy islands of the lagoon.
02:07Surrounded by water and isolated from the mainland, the Venetians had only one direction
02:11in which to expand, the sea, but the Adriatic was far from tranquil.
02:16Pirates, particularly the Slavic Narentines, roamed these waters, threatening the fledgling
02:21city-state.
02:22It was in the 13th century that Venice's military might began to emerge.
02:27Leadership in the 9th century saw the creation of a powerful navy, which not only defended
02:31the city from those pirates, but also established Venice as a dominant force in the Adriatic.
02:36By the turn of the first millennium, Venice had subdued the Narentines and secured control
02:40over the Adriatic, paving a way for five centuries of peace and prosperity.
02:46Ancient ships armed and ready to defend their cargo sailed to the far corners of the known
02:50world, establishing trade routes that brought exotic goods and wealth into Europe.
02:54The city also produced some of the world's most renowned seafarers and explorers who
02:58ventured beyond the Mediterranean to chart new territories and establish trade links
03:02with distant lands.
03:04Among these, Marco Polo stands out as a legendary figure.
03:08His travels along the Silk Road to the Mongol Empire, China, India, and Persia provided
03:13Europe with its first comprehensive glimpse of these distant civilizations.
03:1813.
03:19Byblos Byblos is one of the oldest continually inhabited
03:23cities in the world.
03:25It's a place where the ancient world comes alive.
03:28It's situated along the coast of the Mediterranean, about 20 miles north of modern-day Beirut,
03:33Lebanon.
03:34This historic seaport played a pivotal role in the development of trade, culture, and
03:38language throughout the ancient world.
03:40But the true legacy of it goes beyond its harbor.
03:43It became the birthplace of the Phoenician alphabet, the foundation of modern writing
03:47systems, which spread across the Med due to the city's thriving maritime activity.
03:52Thanks to its position on the Med, Byblos became a main harbor for the export of cedar
03:56wood, a highly prized resource in the ancient world.
03:59The cedars of Lebanon, often referred to in ancient texts, were known for their durability
04:04and were sought after by Egypt for constructing their ships, temples, and monuments.
04:08This exchange with Egypt was so crucial that the city was known in Egyptian texts as Qubna.
04:14The Egyptian connection, too, was not just economic, it was also cultural and religious.
04:18The city's chief deity, Balad Gebel, known as the Mistress, was revered in Egypt, and
04:23her temple in Byblos was a great place of significance.
04:26However, its most lasting contribution to the world came not from the cedar trade, but
04:31from the development of the Phoenician alphabet, which simplified the complex scripts of other
04:36ancient cultures, such as Egyptian hieroglyphics and cuneiform.
04:40The simplicity and adaptability of the Phoenician alphabet allowed it to be easily taught and
04:45adopted by different cultures.
04:4712.
04:49GRAND HARBOR The Grand Harbor in Malta is more than just
04:53a deep-sea port, it's a symbol of the island's rich history and strategic importance.
04:58Located within the Mediterranean, this natural harbor has been a vital crossroads for civilizations
05:03over a millennium.
05:04Its deep waters and central location made it an indispensable stop on sea routes connecting
05:09Europe, Africa, and Asia.
05:11From its early days as a prehistoric settlement to its role as a formidable naval base, the
05:16Grand Harbor has shaped the course of Mediterranean history, leaving indelible marks on world
05:21affairs.
05:22The history of the Grand Harbor dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of human
05:26activity around its shores as early as 3700 BCE.
05:29The Khordan Temples, a megalithic structure that once overlooked the harbor, stand as
05:34an example of these ancient peoples who recognized the strategic value of this natural port.
05:39It was also recognized by a succession of empires, including the Phoenicians, Romans,
05:43Byzantines, and Arabs.
05:45Each civilization left its mark, contributing to the development of the harbor's defenses
05:49and infrastructure.
05:50By the 12th and 13th centuries, the Castrum Maris, or Castle by the Sea, had been established
05:55in Birgu, a fortified stronghold that would later become the center of military and naval
06:00power in the Mediterranean.
06:02The Grand Harbor's most significant chapter began in 1530, when the Knights of the Order
06:06of St. John made Malta their home.
06:10Recognizing the harbor's potential as a naval base, the Knights transformed Birgu into a
06:14fortified city, rebuilding the Castrum Maris as Fort St. Angelo and constructing additional
06:19defenses to protect against potential invaders.
06:2311.
06:25PORT ROYAL Port Royal, Jamaica, often called the wickedest
06:29city on Earth, was once the heart of piracy and privateering in the Caribbean.
06:34While Hollywood's Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is given a romanticized and adventurous
06:39portrayal of pirate life, the real Port Royal offers a much more complex and intriguing
06:45story.
06:46Situated on the southern coast of Jamaica, Port Royal's strategic location, deep natural
06:50harbor, and proximity to trade routes made it an ideal haven for both legitimate traders
06:55and notorious pirates.
06:57However, its meteoric rise to wealth and infamy was matched only by its dramatic fall, leaving
07:03behind a legacy that continues to captivate historians and archaeologists.
07:08In the 17th century, Port Royal became a bustling hub of commerce.
07:12Its well-protected harbor and deep water attracted merchants and sailors from across the Atlantic,
07:16but it was the lure of easy riches that drew pirates in droves.
07:21England, eager to disrupt Spanish dominance in the New World, issued letters of marque
07:26to privateers, essentially legalized pirates, who were authorized to attack Spanish ships
07:32and settlements.
07:33This government-sanctioned piracy allowed England to weaken Spain's influence while
07:38filling the coffers of both the Crown and the privateers themselves.
07:42One of the most famous figures of this era was Henry Morgan, a Welsh privateer who made
07:46a name for himself with daring raids on Spanish strongholds throughout the Caribbean.
07:51Morgan's exploits earned him immense wealth and power, and he was eventually appointed
07:55Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica.
07:57Under his leadership, Port Royal flourished as a pirate's paradise, where fortunes were
08:01made and lost in the blink of an eye.
08:04The city's taverns and brothels were filled with the spoils of war, and its streets echoed
08:09with the clinking of coins and the raucous laughter of those who lived by the sword.
08:1410.
08:16THE PORT OF Piraeus The Port of Piraeus, located just six miles
08:20southwest of Athens, has long been a hub for trade, military operations, and cultural
08:25exchange.
08:26Piraeus has played an important role in the history of Greece, serving as a gateway to
08:30the Aegean Sea and beyond.
08:32Its strategic importance was recognized as early as the 5th century BCE, when it became
08:36the backbone of the Athenian naval power and a bustling center of commerce.
08:41From its ancient roots to its modern-day status as Greece's largest port, Piraeus embodies
08:46the rich maritime heritage of the Mediterranean.
08:49However, the swampy terrain separating Piraeus from the mainland limited its potential.
08:55It was the visionary Athenian statesman Themistocles who, in the early 5th century BCE, recognized
09:01the strategic value of Piraeus as natural harbors and initiated its transformation into
09:06a fortified naval base.
09:08By 483 BCE, Athens had shifted its fleet from Phaleron to Piraeus, a move that would prove
09:14decisive in the battle against the Persian Empire at Salamis in 480 BCE.
09:20The port's three main harbors, Cantharis, Zea, and Monachia, became the heart of the
09:23Athenian naval and commercial activity.
09:26Piraeus wasn't just a military stronghold, but also a thriving commercial hub.
09:31The architect Hippodamus of Miletus designed the town's grid-like street pattern, which
09:36became a model for urban planning in the ancient world.
09:39During the Peloponnesian War, the Spartans recognized the strategic importance of Piraeus
09:43and, after defeating Athens in 404 BCE, they demolished the long walls that connected the
09:48port to the city.
09:49However, the walls were rebuilt in 393 BCE, restoring Piraeus' role as Athens' lifeline
09:56to the sea.
09:57For much of the Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, Piraeus remained largely neglected,
10:02its harbors falling into disuse and its population dwindling.
10:05The Byzantine fleet occasionally utilized the port, but it was never able to recapture
10:09its former glory.
10:119.
10:13Tianjin Port The Port of Tianjin, formerly known as the
10:17Port of Tanggu, stands as the largest port in northern China and the main maritime gateway
10:22to Beijing.
10:24Its significance has evolved over the centuries, transforming from a marshy and sparsely populated
10:29area into a crucial hub of commerce and trade.
10:32The port's development mirrors the rise of Tianjin itself, which grew from a modest settlement
10:38into a bustling center due to its strategic location at the northern terminus of the Grand
10:42Canal and its access to the Bohai Sea.
10:46The origins of the Port of Tianjin can be traced back to the Song Dynasty from 960-1126,
10:52when the area, then known as Senchaku, began to see the first signs of settlement.
10:57Situated on the west bank of the Hai River, the settlement grew quickly, joined by the
11:00larger town of Zigu at the confluence of the Ziya and Hai Rivers.
11:04They became vital ports and a commercial center, handling the storage, transfer, and distribution
11:09of grain and other goods from central and southern China.
11:12The Ming Dynasty, though, marked a turning point for Tianjin.
11:15When the national capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing, Tianjin's importance grew as
11:20the main maritime gateway to the new capital.
11:23In 1404, the settlement was renamed Tianjinwei, meaning Defense of the Heavenly Ford, and
11:28it transformed into a garrison town with a large military base.
11:32This period saw significant population growth as immigrants from other provinces flocked
11:37to the city, further fueling its development.
11:40The city became a bustling port, and the establishment of better inland waterway connections
11:44further increased Tianjin's volume of trade, attracting attention from foreign powers.
11:49The first Dutch diplomatic mission to China in the mid-17th century praised the city's
11:53well-constructed walls, numerous temples, and vibrant commercial district.
11:57Tianjin's prosperity faced challenges in the mid-19th century when European nations,
12:02eager to expand their commercial and diplomatic privileges in China, pressed their demands
12:06to the Qing government.
12:08The Treaties of Tianjin, signed during the Second Opium War, authorized the establishment
12:12of British and French concessions in the city, which were later followed by concessions to
12:16Japan, Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Belgium.
12:21These foreign enclaves brought both economic growth and tension to Tianjin, and the city
12:26became a focal point of international competition and conflict.
12:308.
12:31Cádiz Another one of the oldest continually inhabited
12:35cities in Western Europe was founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC as a trading post
12:40named Gadir.
12:41Cádiz has played a pivotal role in the history of Spain and the wider Mediterranean world.
12:46Over the centuries, this port city has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, serving as a
12:51crucial hub for trade, exploration, and military power.
12:55The origins of Cádiz are deeply rooted in its location along the coast of what is now
12:59Andalusia, Spain.
13:00The Phoenicians, renowned seafarers and traders from the city of Tyre, established Gadir as
13:05a means to access the rich mineral resources of the Iberian Peninsula.
13:09Initially, Gadir consisted of two small islands.
13:12The larger of these islands housed the main settlement, while the smaller one, known as
13:16Cotonousa, was reserved for cemeteries and religious sanctuaries.
13:20Although archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest permanent structures in
13:23Gadir date to the 9th century BC, the city's foundation is traditionally dated to around
13:281100 BC.
13:30The true golden age of Cádiz, however, came much later in the 18th century, when the city
13:35rose to prominence as the main harbor of mainland Spain.
13:39With the decline of Seville as the center of Spanish maritime trade, Cádiz assumed
13:43a dominant position.
13:45The port became the focal point of Spain's vast transatlantic empire, handling the influx
13:50of goods, silver, and other treasures from the New World.
13:53This era of prosperity left a lasting mark on Cádiz, with the construction of grand
13:58plazas, churches, and fortifications that still define the city's landscape today.
14:04Moving on to number 7, Guangzhou.
14:08Formerly known as Canton, it's a city steeped in history and maritime significance.
14:13As the capital of Guangdong province and the largest city in southern China, Guangzhou's
14:17strategic location on the Pearl River has made it a crucial port for over 2,200 years.
14:23The roots of their maritime prominence date back to the Qin Dynasty, when the city first
14:27emerged as a trading port.
14:30Known as the Silk Road on the Sea, Guangzhou connected China with distant lands, facilitating
14:34the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas.
14:37During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the port flourished, becoming one of China's busiest
14:41and most important ports.
14:43As the city grew, so did its port.
14:45The port of Guangzhou now extends along the Pearl River, incorporating multiple harbor
14:50areas, such as Nansha, Xinsha, Huangpu, and the Inner Harbor.
14:55These areas serve as gateways for the shipping activities here, connecting Guangzhou with
14:59over 300 ports in more than 80 countries worldwide.
15:03The port's infrastructure, which includes over 4,600 berths, 133 buoys, 2,359 anchorages,
15:09reflects the capacity to handle large volumes of cargo.
15:13As a comprehensive port, it handles a diverse range of activities including loading and
15:17discharging, storage, bonded warehousing, and container cargo services.
15:22They facilitate the movement of agricultural, industrial, and manufactured products such
15:26as oil, coal, grain, chemical fertilizers, steel, ore, and many more.
15:30Guangzhou's economic growth and the increasing demand for international trade have led to
15:34a significant rise in cargo volume and ship traffic at the port.
15:38In 1999, the port surpassed the annual cargo throughput of 100 million tons, becoming only
15:44the second port in mainland China to achieve that milestone.
15:47By 2006, the port's annual cargo volume had exceeded 300 million tons, ranking it third
15:53among China's coastal ports and fifth among the world's top ten.
15:576.
15:58Qitagong Qitagong, today known as Chetogram, is one
16:02of the oldest and most significant port cities in the Bay of Bengal.
16:06Its rich history as a center of trade, culture, and spirituality dates back centuries, making
16:11it a key player in the maritime commerce of the ancient world.
16:14The city's prominence as a port began long before recorded history.
16:19Archaeological evidence such as stone-age fossils and tools unearthed in this region
16:23suggest that Qitagong has been inhabited since the Neolithic times.
16:27By the 4th century BCE, the region was an integral part of the ancient Benali kingdoms.
16:31During this period, the Chandra Dynasty, followed by the Varmand and the Deva Dynasties, ruled
16:36over the area, transforming it into a cultural powerhouse.
16:41Qitagong's strategic location along the southern branch of the Silk Road made it an essential
16:45maritime hub.
16:47Ancient Greek and Roman maps, including the famous 2nd century world map drawn by Ptolemy,
16:52highlight its natural harbor as one of the finest in the Eastern world.
16:56This made Qitagong a nexus for merchants from distant lands such as Africa, Europe, and
17:01Southeast Asia.
17:02Arab traders frequented the port from as early as the 9th century, with the Abbasid Caliphate
17:06establishing a trading post here that solidified the city's role in global commerce.
17:11During the medieval period, Qitagong became not only a commercial center, but also a cultural
17:15hub.
17:16Poets, writers, and scholars flourished under the patronage of local rulers.
17:21The famous 16th century poet Kabindra Parameshvar, for instance, composed his Bengali adaptation
17:26of the Mahabharata while under the protection of the Bengali Sultanate Governor at Qitagong.
17:32Qitagong's influence as a maritime power continued well into the modern era.
17:36After the British East India Company gained dominance here in 1757, the Nawab of Bengal
17:40ceded the port to the British in 1772.
17:44This marked the beginning of British colonial rule over Qitagong, which transformed it into
17:48a critical node in the British Empire's vast trading network.
17:535.
17:54Ceydon Ceydon, known locally as Ceyda, is a city that
17:59has stood the test of time, having a history that spans over 6,000 years.
18:04Located on the Mediterranean coast about 25 miles south of Beirut, Ceydon is the third
18:09largest city in Lebanon, with a population of approximately 80,000 within the limits.
18:14Their ancient roots, strategic coastal location, and role as a major center for trade have
18:18made it a key player in the history of the Mediterranean world.
18:22Ceydon's prominence began in the Neolithic period around 4000 BCE, and by the Early Bronze
18:27Age it had become one of the most important city-states in the region.
18:30The Phoenicians, as the Greeks called the people of Ceydon and its sister cities like
18:35Byblos, were renowned seafarers and traders.
18:38They established colonies throughout the Med, forming a thalassocracy, or a maritime dominion,
18:43that connected distant lands.
18:45Their earliest inhabitants were the Canaanites, a Semitic people who referred to themselves
18:49as the Men of Ceydon.
18:51The Greeks, who called them Phoenicians because of the purple dye they traded, recognized
18:56Ceydon as one of the leading city-states in the region.
18:59Each Phoenician city-state, including Ceydon, was independent and specialized in various
19:04activities that contributed to their collective influence across the Mediterranean.
19:08But beyond its economic and maritime achievements, Ceydon also played a huge role in the cultural
19:12and religious life in the region.
19:14The city's history is intertwined with that of its sister cities, Byblos and modern-day
19:19Beirut, which were known for their religious activities and trade.
19:23Ceydon's temples, dedicated to various deities, were central to its spiritual life too.
19:294.
19:30CARTHAGE PUNIC PORTS The Punic Ports of Carthage weren't just
19:34integral to the city's trade and naval strength.
19:37They were monumental in size and design, and they stand as some of the most advanced maritime
19:41structures of their time.
19:43Carthage, located on the coast of modern-day Tunisia, was a thalassocracy, a sea empire
19:48that owed its power and influence to its trading networks.
19:51These ports, both military and commercial, symbolized Carthage's dominance over the
19:55Mediterranean and its control of critical sea routes.
19:59The Punic Ports consist of two distinct harbors, each serving a specialized purpose.
20:04The larger of the two was the Circular Military Port, or Cothon, an engineering marvel measuring
20:09roughly 1,300 feet in diameter.
20:12This massive basin was designed to house up to 200 warships, each docked in its own sheltered
20:17bay.
20:18The smaller, rectangular commercial port was located adjacent to the military harbor and
20:22handled the city's immense trade.
20:24The Circular Military Port was the heart of Carthage's naval supremacy.
20:28It featured a central island known as the Admiral's Island, where the naval command
20:32could oversee the movement of vessels.
20:34This layout allowed for the quick launch of ships in the event of a military threat, and
20:38it ensured that Carthage could remain a defensive stance against any sea-based incursion.
20:43Protected by massive walls, this military port was considered virtually impregnable.
20:47The Carthaginians believed that no enemy could challenge their superiority at sea, and for
20:52much of their history, they were correct.
20:54The Punic ports weren't merely a place for docking ships, they were the lifeblood of
20:59the city.
21:00So, trade goods flowed in and out of Carthage from across the Med, with the commercial ports
21:04bustling with activity.
21:06Ships from Spain, Sicily, North Africa, and the Levant brought goods such as grains, metals,
21:11textiles, and wine.
21:13The Sidi Bou Said promontory featured a natural defense, and the surrounding lakes and hills
21:18further protected the city from any land-based attacks.
21:21However, this growing power provoked some tensions with Rome, especially after Carthage's
21:26resurgence following the Second Punic War.
21:29The ports were repurposed by the Romans who recognized their strategic value.
21:33Today, only remnants of the once-grand ports remain.
21:373.
21:38CORINTH Ancient Corinth was one of Greece's largest
21:42and most influential city-states, with a population of around 90,000 in 400 BC.
21:49Locally located on the Isthmus of Corinth, it controlled vital land routes between northern
21:54and southern Greece.
21:55The city's maritime power, however, was equally significant, anchored by its two main
22:00ports, Lachaion on the Corinthian Gulf and Kenchirae on the Saronic Gulf.
22:05These ports linked Corinth to a vast network of trade routes.
22:09Lachaion, Corinth's primary western port, was the city's gateway to the Greek colonies
22:15networks, while Kenchirae connected Corinth to Athens, Ionia, and the Levant.
22:20Both ports had substantial naval and commercial infrastructure, including docks for the city's
22:24large fleet, and this allowed Corinth to dominate maritime trade, facilitating the movement
22:29of goods such as agricultural produce, raw materials, and luxury items.
22:34These ports allowed Corinth to exert significant influence across the Med, trading in goods
22:39like olive oil, wine, and precious metals.
22:41Corinth wasn't only a trading power, but also a naval force too, and the city's wealth
22:45was reflected in its monumental architecture and cultural achievements.
22:50The city's marketplace, or agora, was a bustling center of commerce, enclosed by a massive
22:55stoa that extends over 525 feet.
22:58The Temple of Apollo, standing since 550 BCE alongside numerous temples, theaters, and
23:03public buildings, was showcasing the city's wealth and power.
23:08Despite its prosperity, Corinth's fortunes shifted dramatically when it was destroyed
23:12by the Romans in 146 BCE.
23:14Julius Caesar rebuilt the city in 44 BCE under Roman rule, and Corinth was once again a thriving
23:20metropolis.
23:22Recent archaeological work, particularly the Lachaion Harbor Project, has shed new light
23:26on the remarkable engineering feats that made Corinth's harbors so effective.
23:31A collaboration project that focuses on the submerged remains of Lachaion, the city's
23:35main port on the Corinthian Gulf.
23:38Using advanced technology such as a 3D parametric sub-bottom profiler, the team has mapped out
23:43the harbor's infrastructure, revealing two monumental moles, wooden caissons, a breakwater,
23:48and entrance canal that connected Lachaion to its three inner harbor basins.
23:532.
23:55CESARELLA MARATIMA Cesarella Maratima was a port city that defined
24:00the architectural and engineering brilliance of the ancient Mediterranean world.
24:05Built by Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE and named in honor of Caesar Augustus,
24:10this city was a vital center of commerce, politics, and culture.
24:14One of the most astonishing aspects of it was its harbor, a technological feat of the
24:18time.
24:19Unlike many ancient ports, which were built within natural bays or protected coves, Herod's
24:24engineers constructed Cesarella's harbor entirely in the open sea.
24:29This required immense innovation, as the harbor needed to withstand the unpredictable and
24:34sometimes violent Mediterranean storms.
24:37The two massive breakwaters that protected the port were built using concrete blocks
24:41and stone rubble, laid underwater to create a solid defense against the waves.
24:46This artificial harbor was unprecedented in scale and ambition.
24:51According to historical accounts by Josephus, it rivaled the famous port of Piraeus in Athens.
24:56Beyond its maritime prowess, Cesarella was a vibrant intellectual center.
25:00The city housed a diverse population of Romans, Jews, and Greeks, making it a melting pot
25:05of cultures and ideas.
25:07The city's influence was far-reaching, and it served as a hub for scholars, philosophers,
25:11and religious thinkers.
25:13Modern archaeological efforts have significantly deepened our understanding of Cesarella's
25:17harbor and infrastructure.
25:18Excavations in the 1950s through the 1980s, both on land and underwater, uncovered the
25:23true extent of Herod's construction.
25:26The artificial harbor, built entirely in the open sea, was a groundbreaking achievement
25:30in ancient engineering.
25:32The history of Cesarea Maritima continues to unfold through archaeological discoveries.
25:36In 2015, marine archaeologists uncovered a remarkable hoard of 2,000 gold coins near
25:41the ancient port, dating back over 1,000 years.
25:45These 24-carat gold coins, which bear Arabic inscriptions, are believed to have belonged
25:49to a large merchant ship.
25:51This find suggests that the ship was involved in trade between the coastal cities of the
25:55Mediterranean, and the coins were likely meant to pay the salaries of the Fatimid military
25:59garrison.
26:011.
26:02THE PORT OF ALEXANDRIA The Port of Alexandria, situated on the northern
26:07coast of Egypt to the west of the Nile Delta, is one of the most significant and historic
26:12ports in the world.
26:13From its inception under Alexander the Great in 331 BCE to its current status as Egypt's
26:19largest and busiest port, Alexandria has played a crucial role in the region's trade, military,
26:25and economic power.
26:27In antiquity, Alexandria was uniquely positioned between the Mediterranean Sea and Marriott
26:32Lake, creating a dual port system that allowed access to both the Med and the Nile through
26:37the canals.
26:38This connection facilitated the easy movement of goods between the interiors of Egypt and
26:42the Mediterranean world.
26:44The port itself was divided into two harbors, the East Harbor, which was shallow and unsuitable
26:49for large vessels, and the West Harbor, which was the primary center for commercial shipping.
26:54This West Harbor, known as Portus Magnus during the Roman period, was the true marvel
26:58of Alexandria's maritime prowess.
27:01The scale of the Port of Alexandria was truly vast.
27:05In the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, it handled immense quantities of goods, particularly
27:10grain, which was transported from the Nile by barge and then stored in massive granaries
27:14near the lake, before being shipped to Rome and other parts of the empire.
27:18At its height, the port exported an estimated 220,000 tons of grain annually, making it
27:24a vital supplier of food to the Roman Empire.
27:27Alexander the Great's vision for Alexandria's port was realized by his engineer, Dinocrat,
27:32who designed a bridge that connected the island of Pharos to the mainland, creating two harbors
27:37for distinct purposes, one for military use and the other for commercial shipping.
27:41The bridge, known as the Heptastadion, was an impressive 3,600 feet long and 650 feet
27:47wide, dividing the waters and allowing ships to navigate into the different harbor basins.
27:52This strategy enabled Alexandria to grow rapidly in importance as both a military and
27:57commercial hub.
27:59Its prominence only grew during the Roman Empire, when the port became a central point
28:03for the export of grain to Rome and other provinces, cementing its place as one of the
28:08Mediterranean's busiest and most essential ports.
28:12Thanks for watching everyone, I'll see you next time.