Library of Alexandria

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== Library of Alexandria ==

The Library of Alexandria was one of the most famous libraries of the ancient world. It was part of the Mouseion (a temple or institution dedicated to the Muses) in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. The library is thought to have been established during the reign of Ptolemy I Soter (323–283 BC) and became a major center of scholarship and learning.

History

The Library of Alexandria was founded by Ptolemy I Soter or his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus. It was intended to be a repository of all knowledge and to support the scholarly activities of the Mouseion. The library amassed a vast collection of scrolls and texts from various cultures and languages, including works from Greece, Egypt, Persia, India, and other regions.

Collection

The library's collection is estimated to have contained hundreds of thousands of scrolls. It included works on a wide range of subjects such as philosophy, science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, literature, and geography. The library's scholars are believed to have made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge.

Scholars and Contributions

The Library of Alexandria attracted many renowned scholars, including:

• Euclid, the mathematician known for his work Elements.
• Archimedes, the mathematician and inventor.
• Eratosthenes, the geographer who calculated the circumference of the Earth.
• Herophilos, the physician who made significant advances in anatomy.
• Callimachus, the poet and scholar who created the Pinakes, a bibliographic survey of the library's contents.

Destruction

The exact cause and timeline of the library's destruction are subjects of debate among historians. Several events are believed to have contributed to its decline, including:

• The Siege of Alexandria (47 BC) during the Roman Civil War.
• The decree of Theophilus of Alexandria in 391 AD, which led to the destruction of pagan temples.
• The Muslim conquest of Alexandria in 642 AD.

Legacy

Despite its destruction, the Library of Alexandria remains a symbol of the pursuit of knowledge and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. It has inspired the establishment of modern libraries and research institutions, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library and cultural center in Alexandria.

Related Pages

• Mouseion
• Ptolemaic Kingdom
• Euclid
• Archimedes
• Eratosthenes
• Herophilos
• Callimachus
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina

See Also

• Ancient Greek literature
• History of libraries
• Hellenistic period