Alexandria, Egypt, is an ancient city, built by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, as the capital for his empire in Egypt. While Alexander didn't live to see either the city or the empire, his city is still a great source of inspiration.
Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria, more properly called the Column of Diocletian. Photograph by Maison Bonfils (Beirut, Lebanon) ca. 1867-1899.
I was first drawn to the city by one of my personal heroes, the great public scientist Carl Sagan, who mourned the 5th century AD loss of the great library there in his book Cosmos.
Sagan wrote, "History is full of people who out of fear, or ignorance, or lust for power have destroyed knowledge of immeasurable value which truly belongs to us all. We must not let it happen again." Cosmos 1988.
Words to live by.
- Read more about Alexandria
- Guide to the Ptolemaic Dynasties of Egypt
- More to come about the Library
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