Did the Library of Alexandria really set us back?

Not really. In overall terms it didn’t really set European culture back at all: it was a single incident in a very large world, and there were many other good libraries around the Roman world.

How many years were lost in the Library of Alexandria?

The Library of Alexandria was completely destroyed nearly 2,000 years ago leaving no physical trace behind – but its formative scholarship and cultural resonance endure.

Was the burning of the library of Alexandria accidental?

The Library, or part of its collection, was accidentally burned by Julius Caesar during his civil war in 48 BC, but it is unclear how much was actually destroyed and it seems to have either survived or been rebuilt shortly thereafter; the geographer Strabo mentions having visited the Mouseion in around 20 BC and the

Who really destroyed the Library of Alexandria?

The first person blamed for the destruction of the Library is none other than Julius Caesar himself. In 48 BC, Caesar was pursuing Pompey into Egypt when he was suddenly cut off by an Egyptian fleet at Alexandria. Greatly outnumbered and in enemy territory, Caesar ordered the ships in the harbor to be set on fire.

How many times was the library of Alexandria burned?

8) The ancient library of Alexandria was destroyed on two different occasions. The original library branch was located at the royal palace at Alexandria, near the harbor. When Julius Caesar intervened in the civil war between Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII, Caesar set fire to the ships in the harbor.

Why did they burn the Library of Alexandria?

Ammianus Marcellinus thought that it happened when the city was sacked under Caesar, and Caesar himself reported the burning of Alexandria as an accidental consequence of his war against his great rival Pompey, in 48–47 BCE.

How far back did the burning of the Library of Alexandria set humanity?

Once the largest library in the ancient world, and containing works by the greatest thinkers and writers of antiquity, including Homer, Plato, Socrates and many more, the Library of Alexandria, northern Egypt, is popularly believed to have been destroyed in a huge fire around 2000 years ago and its volumous works lost.

What’s the biggest library in the world?

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world with more than 170 million items. View detailed collection statistics.

Did any books survive the Library of Alexandria?

Contrary to popular myth Library of Alexandria wasn’t destroyed by Julius Caesar and Romans who interfered with civil war in Egypt in 48 BC. Books, which survived were completely destroyed in 7th century by Muslim rulers of Egypt.

Who was in power when the Library of Alexandria burned?

According to reports, Mark Antony gave Cleopatra 200,000 scrolls for the library well after Caesar’s attack. The second, more famous, burning of the library came at the hands of Theophilus who was Patriarch of Alexandria from 385 to 412 CE. He turned the Temple of Serapis into a Christian church.

When was the burning of the library of Alexandria?

For about 300 years after its founding in 283 BCE, the library thrived. But then, in 48 BCE, Julius Caesar laid siege to Alexandria and set the ships in the harbor on fire. For years, scholars believed the library burned as the blaze spread into the city.

Can you visit the Library of Alexandria?

Entrance to the library is not free, it’s costs about 10 Egyptian Pounds. This entitles you to a tour as well as use internet usage (which has to be booked at the information desk). After the tour, you are able to explore 2 other museums within the library.

Why was the library of Alexandria important to Hellenistic culture?

The library became the center of Hellenistic literature and literary life. Many ancient texts still survive to this day because they were collected, preserved, and stored at the Library of Alexandria. The library had a mission to collect a copy of every single book ever written.

Where is Alexandria in the Middle East?

Alexandria is located in the country of Egypt, on the southern coast of the Mediterranean. It is in the Nile delta area.

What happened to Alexandria?

The city fell to the Arabs in AD 641, and a new capital of Egypt, Fustat, was founded on the Nile. The French army under Napoleon captured the city in 1798 and the British soon captured it from the French, retaining Alexandria within their sphere of influence for 150 years.