The Library of Alexandria

By Kelly Trumble and Robina MacIntyre Marshall

The Library of Alexandria was the largest library of its time and a major center for learning and scholarly research, particularly in the fields of astronomy, geography, mathematics, and medicine. Caesar and Cleopatra, Erastosthenes and Euclid, Archimedes and Alexander the Great are just a few of the famous people connected to its story. Today, historians still argue about how the library was destroyed, and no one knows exactly what it looked like, yet there is no question that the library continues to fascinate and intrigue us. This extensively researched look at what we do know about the Library of Alexandria features Kelly Trumble’s short, accessible chapters, and richly detailed full-color paintings by Robina MacIntyre Marshall. Together, they tell the story of one of the wonders of the ancient world, and show how its influence as continued long after its destruction. Glossary, suggested reading, selected bibliography, index.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Nov 17, 2003
• ISBN: 9780547532899

Kelly Trumble

Kelly Trumble is the author of Cat Mummies and The Library of Alexandria. She lives in Kirkland, Washington, where she has studied library technology, volunteers at an animal shelter, and is finally learning to play the piano.

Book preview

1. A City Of Learning

AS ALEXANDER LAY SLEEPING ONE NIGHT, the Greek poet Homer appeared in his dreams and recited a verse:

Now, there is an island in the much-dashing sea,

In front of Egypt; Pharos is what men call it.

Alexander had wanted to build a great city in Egypt, and now he knew just where to do it. He immediately went to the island of Pharos. He ordered a city to be planned on the mainland, with a causeway connecting the city to the island. But the architects had no chalk for marking the lines of the city, so they used flour instead. Suddenly, an infinite number of birds rose like a great black cloud from the nearby waters. They swooped down and ate all the flour. Alexander was troubled by this omen. But the prophets told him the omen was a good one. It meant the city founded there by Alexander would be one of such abundance that men from many nations would flock to it.

This legend of the founding of the city of Alexandria has a grain of truth. Alexander the Great did indeed found Alexandria, and it did become a city of abundance: an abundance of books and learning opportunities, which attracted great scientists from many nations.

Alexander the Great was a Macedonian king who lived in the fourth century B.C. He conquered the great city-states of Greece, whose culture he admired. Then he conquered the lands from Greece to Egypt to India, spreading Greek culture and building the greatest empire yet known. Throughout his empire Alexander investigated the geography and founded many cities.

He saw the potential for a great city at the site of the Egyptian village of Rhakotis, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. A causeway between the new city and the island of Pharos would create two harbors. To the south of the city Lake Mareotis would provide fresh water and access to the Nile. The climate would be ideal for a harbor city. In 331 B.C., Alexander ordered the city of Alexandria to be built there.

But Alexander the Great never saw the Egyptian city that would bear his name. He died in 323 B.C., only thirty-three years old.

Alexander's empire was divided among his generals. Instead of ruling together, each general soon declared himself king of his own piece of the empire. The general Ptolemy became the king of Egypt. Ptolemy moved the capital from the old city of Memphis to the new city of Alexandria.

Ptolemy was a man who respected learning, especially in science. He decided to make Alexandria a great city of learning and culture. At its center would be the most famous library in the ancient world, the Library of Alexandria.

It was probably Ptolemy's adviser Demetrius of Phaleron who suggested that a great research center be built. Demetrius worked closely with Ptolemy to create the Mouseion, the shrine of the Muses. In Greek mythology, the Muses were goddesses who gave inspiration to scientists, artists, and philosophers.