The Legend which Forever Changed Libraries;
The Great Library of Alexandria and its Collection
TAGS: Alexandria, Great Collections, Library of Alexandria, Ptolemy, Bibliography, Universal Library
The Library of Alexandria is considered to be the largest and most significant library of the Ancient World. Founded by Alexander the Great around 300 BC; the library flourished under the patronage of the Ptolemaic dynasty after Alexander’s death. The library functioned as a major center of scholarship for centuries and is even considered to be the birthplace of modern bibliography. When Alexander first began to create the library, his goal was to collect every book in the known world. There were no boundaries in the collections, as a variety of topics ranging from philosophy to the natural sciences could be found. Another important aspect of the collection was its accessibility to the public. A vast amount of knowledge was held within the libraries confines, and this knowledge was to be spread to the entire pan-Hellenic population. The reason the collection was destroyed has been lost in legend; however, scholars have attempted to theorize this mystery.
It is most likely that the Library of Alexandria had between 400,000 to 700,000 rolls attributed to its collection (Phillips). This has been widely debated and there have been reports that the Library held up to 900,000 scrolls at its peak (Raven 102). The Ptolemaic dynasty established and advocated bibliomania, which was an influential factor in establishing the Library’s collections. The scribes would make copies of any book that had been brought to the Library, writing them on the highest quality of parchment. The originals were kept for the Library and the copies were returned (Phillips). The collection held at the Library of Alexandria was especially important because books were collected in a number of languages including Arabic, Hebrew, and Ancient Greek (MacLeod 92). This practice was of particular importance because it enabled the Hellenic population to learn about societies other than their own.
Ptolemy used a number of means to obtain his collection. Intrigue, theft, and unscrupulousness were some of the methods used to collect volumes for the Library (Trumble 10). Plundering has been widely reported as a means for procuring books. Upon entering the Alexandrian harbor, ships were inspected and any books that were carried were seized (Lawler). Conventional tactics were also used. Ptolemy would send out associates to buy books, looking for rare texts and entire libraries.
The Great Library of Alexandria was one of the first to incorporate the concept of a universal library, an institution containing all the intellectual works of the world (Blum 48). The Ptolemaic dynasty set about making Alexandria the center of learning and culture in the new pan-Hellenic world (Murray 6). The vast amount of knowledge contained within the Library’s collection attracted many scholars. These scholars would spend their days studying in the Library, adding to its collection and gaining valuable knowledge. The idea of the universal library is one that is still evident today, where the most influential books of all subjects are housed in one place, to be used by the general public or by scholars who will benefit the library or perhaps society.
The destruction of the Library has become a myth. Historians have searched for the answer over the past few centuries and have concluded that the destruction was most likely caused by a variety of factors. Caesar is said to have set fire to the docks, which spread to the library (Abbadi 134), other historians point to Aurelian’s sack of Alexandria (Gibbon 295), while others believe that strife between Jewish and Christian populations are to be blamed (Phillips). The most likely scenario is that the fortunes of the Great Library waxed and wanted with those of Alexandria itself. Much of its downfall was gradual, often bureaucratic, and by comparison to our cultural imaginings somewhat petty (Staikos 164).
Whatever the reason, the Library of Alexandria will forever be considered one of the most impressive libraries to have ever existed. The collection of Alexander and Ptolemy is one of the most remarkable libraries of all time. The advocacy of bibliography in combination with the idea of a universal library lead to the translation of works of different cultures into Greek, effectively influencing many Ancient scholars. It is unfortunate that the library was destroyed, but perhaps that is what adds to its mystery.
Works Cited
Abbadi, Mostafa. The life and fate of the ancient Library of Alexandria. 2nd ed. Paris: Unesco/UNDP, 1992.
Blum, Rudolf. Kallimachos: the Alexandrian Library and the origins of bibliography. Madison, Wis.: University of Wisconsin Press, 1991.
Gibbon, Edward, and D. M. Low. The decline and fall of the Roman Empire. [1st American ed. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1960.
Krasner-Khait, Barbara. “Survivor: The History of the Library.” History Magazine, November 2001.
Lawler, Andrew. “Raising Alexandria.” Smithsonian Magazine Apr. 2007: 1-4. Online
MacLeod, Roy M.. The Library of Alexandria: centre of learning in the ancient world. London: I.B. Tauris ;, 2000.
Murray, Stuart A.P.. The Library: an illustrated history. New York: Skyhorse Publishing, 2009.
Phillips, Heather. “The Great Library of Alexandria.” Library Philosophy and Practice August (2010): 1-5. Online
Raven, James. Lost libraries: the destruction of great book collections since antiquity. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004.
Staikos, K.. The history of the library in Western civilization. New Castle, Del.: Oak Knoll Press, 2010.
Trumble, Kelly, and Robina MacIntyre Marshall. The Library of Alexandria. New York: Clarion Books, 2003.