Egypt After the Pharaohs 332 BC-AD 642 : from Alexander to the Arab Conquest

The 1000 years between Alexander the Great's invasion in 332 BC and the Arab conquest in AD 642 was a period of enormous change in the history of Egypt. The Hellenistic era under the Ptolemies ended with the defeat of Anthony and Cleopatra in 30 BC and Egypt became a province of Rome. Under the Byzantine emperors the country enjoyed renewed political influence and continued prosperity as Christianity began to displace the ancient gods.