The Library of Alexandria, founded in the 4th century BC under the Ptolemies, was the ancient world's greatest center of knowledge. Housing vast collections of papyrus scrolls, it attracted scholars from diverse cultures, advancing science, philosophy, and medicine. Over time, political instability and destruction led to its decline and eventual disappearance. Despite its loss, its legacy continues to inspire modern libraries, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, preserving its vision of learning and intellectual progress.
The ancient Library of Alexandria is by far the greatest and most inspirational library in the history of the ancient World. It was the cure of ignorance, the key to enlightenment, which created the foundation for the future innovation of the ancient Egyptians. The Library of Alexandria in Egypt was a renowned repository of knowledge since its creation around the 4th century B.C. Over six centuries, it thrived as a cultural and intellectual hub of the Hellenistic world. It housed an extensive collection of approximately half a million papyrus scrolls, featuring works by notable figures like Plato, Aristotle, Homer, Herodotus, and many others.
The library attracted brilliant minds from all over the world who both studied and taught there. However, by the 5th century A.D., the library's existence dwindled. Theft, destruction, and neglect led to its decline, resulting in a loss of its former influence. The library's history, from its inception to its downfall, is still a mystery that is being explored through research and archaeological findings, presenting a complex and dramatic narrative reminiscent of a Hollywood movie.
After Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC, his empire was contested by his top officers, leading to its division among three dynasties: the Antigonids in Greece, the Seleucids in Asia Minor, Syria, and Mesopotamia, and the Ptolemies in Egypt. These rulers of Alexandria aimed to spread Hellenistic culture and learning, prompting the establishment of libraries across major urban centers. The Library of Alexandria stood out due to its ambition to amass all knowledge. The Ptolemies, especially Ptolemy I Soter and possibly his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus, played a role in its foundation.
Though the exact origins are debated, the Letter of Aristeas, composed around 180-145 BC, attributes the library's founding to Ptolemy I Soter and credits Demetrius of Phalerum, a student of Aristotle, with its organization. However, modern scholars suggest the library physically materialized during Ptolemy II Philadelphus's reign (285–246 BC). While Demetrius might not have directly established the institution, he likely contributed to gathering some of its earliest texts, particularly Aristotle's and Theophrastus' works.
Located in Alexandria's Royal Quarter, the Library showcased Egypt's wealth and supported research, benefiting the ruler. Its layout included scrolls, Greek columns, a reading room, a dining area, gardens, and lecture halls, resembling a modern university campus. It housed collections of papyrus scrolls from 40,000 to 400,000 at its height, and an inscription above the shelves famously read, "The place of the cure of the soul." The creation of the library was able to transform the city of Alexandria is a magical capital of knowledge and learning.
To gather manuscripts, Ptolemaic rulers dispatched agents globally, paying generously for valuable texts. The Ptolemies pursued books fervently, searching ships in Alexandria's harbor for books under the command of Ptolemy III. They'd return copies or confiscate originals and provide compensatory copies. Ptolemy III Euergetes (246-221 BCE) obtained the original works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides from Athens by depositing silver and keeping the originals.
Librarian Callimachus organized scrolls using the "Pinakes" system, categorizing them by topics such as natural history, law, medicine, and mathematics. The scrolls even had tags specifying details. As the collection grew, a second library, the Serapeum, was built to house more scrolls.
Books were purchased from Athens and Rhodes, supplemented by irregular methods. Egyptian records formed a significant part, encouraged by Ptolemy I for Greek scholars. Other languages and cultures were also represented: Chaldean, Babylonian, Zoroastrian, and even Buddhist works, due to diplomatic exchanges between Ashoka and Philadelphus. The translation of the Hebrew Pentateuch into Greek was vital for Alexandria's Hellenized Jewish community, resulting in the Septuagint, a crucial work in translation history and biblical studies.
The Library of Alexandria's archives contained from 40,000 to 400,000 papyrus scrolls and works from renowned Greek classical writers like Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and many more. Ptolemy II Philadelphus (282-246 BCE) notably purchased Aristotle's works at a high cost. The Library of Alexandria made significant acquisitions, including Aristotle's "books," with conflicting accounts of their origin. Athenaeus claimed Philadelphus bought them, while Strabo believed they passed through various hands and were confiscated by Sulla in 86 BCE.
Athenaeus might refer to Aristotle's school collection purchased when his tutor Straton led the Lyceum. Strabo's account could relate to Aristotle's personal writings that his successors held until Sulla's seizure. Medical texts by Hippocrates, poetry by Sappho, Pindar, Hesiod, and scientific writings by Thales, Democritus, and Anaximander were also present. The library collected texts from various cultures: Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Assyrian, Indian, Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Buddhist.
The library was a research center that collected works in fields like mathematics, astronomy, physics, and natural sciences. It embraced rigorous textual criticism, assessing multiple versions of the same text for accuracy. Once verified, authorized copies were produced for scholars, nobility, and affluent book collectors globally, resulting in financial support for the library. The library attracted eminent scholars during the third and second centuries BC, The Library of Alexandria housed numerous significant works from scholars, including:
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The library was funded by the royal house, and scholars living there enjoyed tax-free accommodation, meals, and a token salary. The head librarian, appointed by the royal court, served for life and was usually a notable scholar. The library's acquisition policy was comprehensive, aiming to gather Greek writings and important translations, such as the Septuagint. Book agents were sent to acquire works, often by copying them and keeping the originals. The Ptolemies also borrowed and copied famous works. This acquisition policy led to the growth of libraries and the emergence of a parchment industry to replace papyrus.
The head librarians of the Library of Alexandria during the Ptolemaic Period included Zenodotus, Apollonius of Rhodes, Eratosthenes, Aristophanes of Byzantium, Apollonius "maker of forms," and Aristarchus of Samothrace. Callimachus of Cyrene developed the library's organizational system through his work called Pinakes, a comprehensive catalog of extant Greek works. This system was based on the library's holdings and served as a foundation for its organization.
During the Ptolemaic Period, male scholars received patronage to live at the library with accommodations, but the access of female scholars was unclear. The library's resources were said to include 500,000 works covering a wide range of subjects.
The Library of Alexandria was designed to become part of a larger research institution known as the Mouseion, which was entirely dedicated to the nine Greek goddesses of arts known as the Muses. The architecture of the library evolved under Ptolemaic rule, expanding to become a hub of learning and culture. Generous royal funding from Ptolemaic kings led to the development of a complex around the Museion.
Though the exact layout remains unknown, the library likely featured lecture halls, labs, meeting rooms, gardens, and even a zoo. A medical school practiced human cadaver dissection, an uncommon skill in pre-Renaissance Europe. The Museion, distinct from a modern museum, functioned as a university where literary works were recited and theories debated.
The library's archive, possibly separate from the Museion, likely held over half a million scrolls made from Nile River reeds turned into paper. These scrolls contained a vast array of knowledge, including literature, philosophy, science, religion, mythology, and medicine, making it a repository of ancient Western wisdom.
It possesses a daughter library, which was known as the Serapeum, made during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergeteswhich held the largest collection of books in all of the cities of Alexandria, all the way to the start of the 4th century AD. In the 370s and 380s, the Serapeum continued to serve as a significant religious site and temple for pagans, offering classrooms for philosophers studying esoteric practices.
During Roman Emperor Theodosius I's Christian rule, pagan rituals were banned, leading to the destruction of pagan temples. In 391 AD, Theophilus, the bishop of Alexandria, ordered the Serapeum's destruction and conversion into a church. This outraged pagans, and the teachers and students of philosophy launched a violent attack on Christians, prompting retaliatory actions.
The Serapeum was vandalized and ruined, although some parts endured until the 12th century. While various accounts of its destruction omit any mention of a library, existing evidence suggests that the surviving structure likely held few scrolls by that time. Because of the severe damage that occurred to the entire library, not much is known about the intricate design and full architecture of the library.
Historians accused Julius Caesar of causing a fire in Alexandria that supposedly destroyed the library. During his occupation in 48 B.C., the city was embroiled in a civil war. While the fire indeed occurred, the library likely remained largely intact, though some scrolls might have been burned.
Evidence from historians like Cassius Dio and later visitors, including Strabo, suggests that the library endured. Contrary to the dramatic narrative, experts now agree that the Library of Alexandria's decline was gradual and took place over centuries. Various factors contributed, including political instability like Ptolemy VIII's expulsion of scholars and Theodosius I's order to destroy pagan temples. Other incidents, such as Diocletian's sack of the city, played roles in its deterioration.
The library's downfall coincided with Alexandria's diminishing stature as an intellectual hub. Rome and Athens emerged as prominent academic centers with their libraries. Economic, political, and social issues led later Ptolemaic rulers to neglect the library's upkeep, leading to its slow dissolution. The Library declined during the Roman era due to inadequate funding and support, with its membership ending around 260 AD. Alexandria faced a Palmyrene invasion and an imperial counterattack between 270-275 AD, likely causing the Library's potential destruction if it still existed.
The Serapeum, the daughter library, might have endured beyond the main Library's downfall. In 391 AD, Bishop Theophilus of Alexandria ordered the Serapeum's destruction, but it seems it wasn't functioning as a library then, instead serving as a place for Neoplatonist philosophers following Iamblichus' teachings. By the 7th century A.D., the Arab Caliphate's conquest marked the library's memory. While some stories, like Caliph Omar's alleged destruction of scrolls in 641 AD, have been largely discredited and proven wrong with further exploration, the exact details of what was lost from the Great Library remain unknown.
The Library of Alexandria established a divine atmosphere where great minds could get together and use their intellect and all the great resources to make great innovations that push humanity onto a path of innovation and prosperity. The Library of Alexandria was the site of numerous groundbreaking achievements in various fields, which include the following:
The library was connected to the translation of the Old Testament into Greek (Septuagint) and the development of our modern calendar, including the concept of leap years. The library's destruction led to a loss of invaluable knowledge, marking the end of an era of scientific advancement and a period of decline into superstition and ignorance known as the Dark Ages.
The Library of Alexandria, though prestigious, was just one of many ancient libraries, as it has inspired the creation of a number of great libraries all over the world. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, public libraries flourished in cities across the Eastern Mediterranean, modeling the style and system of the library.
As the Library of Alexandria declined, other centers of learning emerged in capital cities, with surviving material possibly preserved by libraries like the Imperial Library of Constantinople, the Academy of Gondishapur, and the House of Wisdom. With the rise of Christianity, Christian libraries akin to the Library of Alexandria appeared, containing both pagan and Christian texts. These libraries applied similar philological methods. Ancient texts owe their survival not to the great libraries, but to extensive copying by scribes and later by monks during the Middle Ages.
The idea to resurrect the ancient Library of Alexandria emerged in 1974 from the leadership of the University of Alexandria. UNESCO and the global community joined efforts in 1986 to explore the project's feasibility. Egypt allocated land and established the National High Commission for the Library of Alexandria. President Hosni Mubarak's personal interest fueled progress. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, completed in 2002 for the cost of US$220 million, stands as a contemporary library and cultural hub, paying homage to the original.
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is the world's sixth-largest French-language library. It accommodates eight million books and features a 20,000-square-meter main reading room. The facility includes a conference center, specialized libraries for various purposes, multiple museums and art galleries, permanent and temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, and a manuscript restoration laboratory. It also hosts the International School of Information Science, training library professionals in Egypt and the Middle East.
The Ancient Library of Alexandria remains a symbol of the heights of human intellectual achievement and the tragic consequences of the loss of knowledge. Its legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and sharing knowledge across generations. While its physical form may have been lost to history, its spirit lives on in the countless libraries and institutions dedicated to the pursuit of learning and the advancement of human understanding. We offer outstanding Egypt vacations that shed light on all the epic sites of Egypt with the luxury of a Nile cruise and immersive cultural experiences, so everyone can enjoy the most complete travel experience.
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The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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