The Library of Alexandria: Centre of Learning in the Ancient World, Revised Edition

Revised Edition The Library of Alexandria was one of the greatest cultural adornments of the late ancient world, containing thousands of scrolls of Greek, Hebrew and Mesopotamian literature and art and artifacts of ancient Egypt. This book demonstrates that Alexandria became--through the contemporary reputation of its library--a point of confluence for Greek, Roman, Jewish and Syrian culture that drew scholars and statesmen from throughout the ancient world. It also explores the histories of Alexander the Great and of Alexandria itself, the greatest city of the ancient world. This new paperback edition offers general readers an accessible introduction to the history of this magnificent yet still mysterious institution from the time of its foundation up to its tragic destruction. "The Library of Alexandria explores one of the greatest cultural adornments of the late ancient world. The origins of the 'vanished library' of Alexandria lie in the distant echoes of the great library of Pisistratus in Athens, an institution which set the tone for establishing a dominant culture and inspired Alexander the Great to build a library of his own in his empire's most important city. Thus he expanded his cultural and imperial influence and power throughout the known world. The library contained thousands of scrolls of Greek, Hebrew and Mesopotamian literature as well as art and artefacts from ancient Egypt. Roy MacLeod has here assembled an array of distinguished scholars to bring this great institution - - tragically destroyed at the fall of Alexandria in 643 - - back to life. They demonstrate how the contemporary reputation of its library helped Alexandria to become a point of convergence for Greek, Roman, Jewish and Syrian culture that drew scholars and statesmen from throughout the ancient world. The Library of Alexandria explores Alexandria as the largest and the greatest Hellenistic city in the ancient world and its site was, in Alexander the Great's own words, 'the very best in which to found a city that would prosper.' and not only did it prosper; it became the home of the greatest library in the ancient world. It was the icon and guardian of Greek learning and culture, containing a host of scientific, mathematical and medical literature which would decisively influence the medieval and modern worlds, and a vast collection on philosophy, religion and spirituality including the works of Aristotle, Neoplatonism, and the writings of the Mystery Schools and the early Christian fathers. A study of the LIbrary sheds light on the organisation of higher education, and even the book trade, in the ancient world, as well as the connections with the nodal points of Hellenistic culture, including Paphos, the Ptolemaic capital of Cyprus. This wide-ranging work which highlights the tragedy of the destruction of Alexandria's ancient and medieval legacy will fascinate both scholars and general readers."--Back cover The Library of Alexandria explores one of the greatest cultural adornments of the late ancient world. The origins of the 'vanished library' of Alexandria lie in the distant echoes of the great library of Pisistratus in Athens, an institution which set the tone for establishing a dominant culture and inspired Alexander the Great to build a library of his own in his empire's most important city. Thus he expanded his cultural and imperial influence and power throughout the known world. The library contained thousands of scrolls of Greek, Hebrew and Mesopotamian literature as well as art and artefacts from Ancient Egypt.Roy MacLeod has here assembled an array of distinguished scholars to bring this great institution -- tragically destroyed at the fall of Alexandria in 643 -- back to life. They demonstrate how the contemporary reputation of its library helped Alexandria to become a point of convergence for Greek, Roman, Jewish and Syrian culture that drew scholars and statesmen from throughout the ancient world. The Library of Alexandria explores Alexandria as the largest and the greatest Hellenistic city in the ancient world and its site was, in Alexander the Great's own words, 'the very best in which to found a city that would prosper'. And not only did it prosper; it became the home of the greatest library in the ancient world. It was the ikon and guardian of Greek learning and culture, containing a host of scientific, mathematical and medical literature which would decisively influence the medieval and modern worlds, and a vast collection on philosophy, religion and spirituality including the works of Aristotle, Neoplatonism, and the writing of the Mystery Schools and the early Christian fathers. A study of the Library sheds light on the organisation of higher education, and even the book trade, in the ancient world, as well as the connections with the nodal points of Hellenistic culture including Paphos, the Ptolemaic capital of Cyprus. This wide-ranging work which highlights the tragedy of the destruction of Alexandria's ancient and medieval legacy will fascinate both scholars and general readers. Content: Notes of Contributors -- Map of Alexandria -- Preface -- Introduction : Alexandria in history and myth / Roy MacLeod -- Before Alexandria : Libraries in the Ancient Near East / D.T. Potts -- Alexandria : The Umbilicus of the Ancient World / Wendy Brazil -- Cloistered Bookworms in the Chicken-Coop of the Muses : The Ancient Library of Alexandria / Robert Barnes -- Aristotle's Works : The Possible Origins of the Alexandria Collection / R.G. Tanner -- Doctors in the Library : The Strange Tale of Apollonius the Bookworm and Other Stories / John Vallance -- The Theatre of Paphos and the Theatre of Alexandria : Some First Thoughts / J.R. Green -- Scholars and Students in the Roman East / Samuel N.C. Lieu -- The Neoplatonists and the Mystery Schools of the Mediterranean / Patricia Cannon Johnson -- Alexandria and its Medieval Legacy : The Book, the Monk and the Rose / J.O. Ward -- Bibliography -- Index. I. B. Tauris Contents 6 Notes on Contributors 8 Map of Alexandria 11 Preface 12 Introduction: Alexandria in History and Myth 14 Part I. Alexandria in History and Myth 30 Before Alexandria: Libraries in the Ancient Near East 32 Alexandria: The Umbilicus of the Ancient World 48 Cloistered Bookworms in the Chicken-Coop of the Muses: The Ancient Library of Alexandria 74 Aristotle's Works: The Possible Origins of the Alexandria Collection 92 Part II. Scholarship in the Alexandrian Manner 106 Doctors in the Library: The Strange Tale of Apollonius the Bookworm and Other Stories 108 The Theatre of Paphos and the Theatre of Alexandria: Some First Thoughts 128 Scholars and Students in the Roman East 140 The Neoplatonists and the Mystery Schools of the Mediterranean 156 Alexandria and its Medieval Legacy: The Book, the Monk and the Rose 176 Bibliography 194 Index 204 9781850435945 "The Library of Alexandria explores one of the greatest cultural adornments of the late ancient world. The origins of the 'vanished library' of Alexandria lie in the distant echoes of the great library of Pisistratus in Athens, an institution which set the tone for establishing a dominant culture and inspired Alexander the Great to build a library of his own in his empire's most important city." "Roy MacLeod has here assembled an array of distinguished scholars to bring this great - tragically destroyed - institution back to life. They demonstrate how the contemporary reputation of its library helped Alexandria to become a point of convergence for Greek, Roman, Jewish and Syrian culture that drew scholars and statesmen from throughout the ancient world." "This is a wide-ranging and fascinating study for both scholars and general readers."--Jacket
The Library of Alexandria was one of the greatest cultural adornments of the late ancient world, containing thousands of scrolls of Greek, Hebrew and Mesopotamian literature and art and artifacts of ancient Egypt. This book demonstrates that Alexandria became--through the contemporary reputation of its library--a point of confluence for Greek, Roman, Jewish and Syrian culture that drew scholars and statesmen from throughout the ancient world. It also explores the histories of Alexander the Great and of Alexandria itself, the greatest city of the ancient world. This new paperback edition offers general readers an accessible introduction to the history of this magnificent yet still mysterious institution from the time of its foundation up to its tragic destruction.
The Library of Alexandria was one of the greatest cultural adornments of the late ancient world, containing thousands of scrolls of Greek, Hebrew and Mesopotamian literature and art and artefacts of ancient Egypt. This book demonstrates that Alexandria became - through the contemporary reputation of its library - a point of confluence for Greek, Roman, Jewish and Syrian culture that drew scholars and statesmen from throughout the ancient world. It also explores the histories of Alexander the Great and of Alexandria itself, the greatest city of the ancient world. This new paperback edition offers general readers an accessible introduction to the history of this magnificent yet still mysterious institution from the time of its foundation up to its tragic destruction.