ABSTRACT
In the late medieval and early modern period, Alexandria experienced a slow but steady urban decline. Nevertheless, it maintained its role as an important port. This decline-cum-continuity brought about the eventual relocation of the settled area from the old medieval walled city to the portal area. Such transformation of Alexandria was neither the sole result of the Crusades (most notably the Cypriot sack of the city in 1365) nor of the Portuguese opening a new maritime route to India, which bypassed Egypt. Rather, this transformation was the combined result of external shocks (climate change and subsequent waves of the plague and other epidemics) and of Alexandria losing its status as capital. It was eclipsed by the rise of Cairo – first as the new political, administrative, but also increasingly cultural, religious and economic centre of Egypt. By hanging onto its superior port, however, it could survive – as a port with a settlement.
