The Library of Alexandria is one of the most famous and enigmatic institutions of the ancient world. Here are some key facts about it:
1. Founded in the 3rd Century BCE
- The library was established in Alexandria, Egypt, under the reign of either Ptolemy I Soter (367–283 BCE) or his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus (283–246 BCE). It was part of a larger institution known as the Mouseion, a center for learning and scholarly research.
2. Housed Hundreds of Thousands of Scrolls
- At its peak, the Library of Alexandria likely contained between 40,000 to 400,000 scrolls, although estimates vary. It collected works on philosophy, science, mathematics, literature, and history. The collection might have even included original works from major intellectual figures like Homer, Plato, and Euclid.
3. Center for Scholarship
- The library attracted many of the greatest scholars of antiquity. Notable scholars associated with the library include:
- Euclid (father of geometry)
- Eratosthenes (calculated the Earth’s circumference)
- Archimedes (pioneering work in physics and engineering)
- Hipparchus (astronomer who created the first star catalog)
- Callimachus (poet and cataloguer of the library’s works)
4. Systematic Collection Methods
- The Ptolemies employed aggressive methods to expand the library’s holdings. Ships arriving at Alexandria’s port were searched, and any books found were copied. The originals were kept, and the copies returned to the owners. Additionally, works were purchased or copied from other centers of learning, such as Athens.
5. Destruction and Theories of Its Decline
- The exact cause of the library’s destruction remains unclear, and there are several competing theories:
- Julius Caesar’s Siege (48 BCE): Some historians believe that during Caesar’s civil war, he set fire to ships in Alexandria’s harbor, and the fire may have spread to the library.
- The Emperor Aurelian (270s CE): During his efforts to recapture the city, the library or part of it may have been damaged.
- Theophilus (391 CE): Under the Christian Roman Empire, pagan temples were destroyed, and the library might have been a victim.
- Caliph Omar’s Order (7th Century CE): According to a later, possibly apocryphal account, the Muslim caliph Omar allegedly ordered the burning of the remaining books.