The Tragic Real-Life Story Of The Library Of Alexandria
Though not literally one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World–that honor went to a nearby lighthouse–the Royal Library of Alexandria was, in fact, a wonder of the ancient world. Conceived in the Hellenistic, cosmopolitan spirit of Alexander the Great, the Library of Alexandria was built by Alexander's successors to be a central location for all information worth knowing. With this lofty goal in mind, the library became a hub for learning around the Mediterranean, and many of the Classical world's greatest minds flocked to it.
Nevertheless, tragedy struck the Great Library and all its invaluable manuscripts were lost. But how could such a thing happen? Who would want to bring ruin to a temple dedicated to learning and the arts unlike any before or since? The answer, it turns out, is more complicated than you might think. Read on for the tragic fate of the Library of Alexandria.