Bibliotheca Alexandria; the Revival of the World's First Universal Library

Soliman, Lotfallah, UNESCO Courier

Alexander the great is said to have been welcomed in Egypt as a liberator. He showed great respect for the people's customs and beliefs, and as a professed defender of religion, won the support of the priests. He openly consulted the Egyptian oracles, particularly that of Amon, to which he journeyed with great ceremony. Moreover, the he very quickly understood the central role which Egypt could play in the expansion of world trade, and he lost no time in lending his support to it.

One of the most far-reaching decicisions that Alexander made in this connection was to found the city of Alexandria. Legend has it that he chose the location himself - a small Mediterranean port whose site had attracted him, as the shelter of the offshore island of Pharos formed two natural harbours, ideal as a Greek naval base. Legend also relates that Alexander personally traced out the boundaries of the new city, construction of which began in 332 BC to the design of the Rhodian architect Dinocrates.

Thanks to its favourable geographical situation and its shrewdly designed port, Alexandria became one of the most renowned commercial and maritime …

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Publication information: Article title: Bibliotheca Alexandria; the Revival of the World's First Universal Library. Contributors: Soliman, Lotfallah - Author. Magazine title: UNESCO Courier. Publication date: November 1988. Page number: 8+. © 1984 UNESCO. COPYRIGHT 1988 Gale Group.

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