THE Great Library of Alexandria burned down mysteriously.
It was the largest library in the ancient world and contained the works of the greatest thinkers and writers.
What was the Great Library of Alexandria
The Great Library of Alexandria was the largest library in the ancient world.
Many of the works there were by the greatest Roman and Greek philosophers and writers.
That included Homer, Socrates, Plato and many more.
It is believed that the library was founded in ancient Alexandria around the beginning of the 3rd century BC.
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Ancient Alexandria ruled as the greatest city in ancient Egypt and the world.
Formerly a small fishing village on the Nile Delta, it became a cultural and intellectual centre.
Alexandria was also named after Alexander the Great.
He founded the Mediterranean seaport of Alexandria.
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When did the Great Library of Alexandria burn down?
Much to the horror of the ancient world, the library burned down in 48 BC.
The reason for it often sparks a debate, as they are many theories revolving around it.
The main one is that the library was accidentally burned by Julius Caesar during his civil war in 48 BC.
The story being that Caesar found himself in the Royal Palace, hemmed in by the Egyptian fleet in the harbour.
He ordered that the Egyptian ships are set to fire.
Unfortunately, the fire spread to parts of the city nearest the shore, which included warehouses, depots and the Great Library.
After Caesar's death, many Greek and Roman philosophers recall the fire, and the loss of the library and its valuable possessions.
What is believed to have been lost in the fire?
While it was never estimated what the damage was and how many great works were lost.
Historians believe that the number could be roughly around 100 000 books.
The library contained the works of the greatest writers and philosophers of the ancient world.
It also had an estimated 100 scholars at its peak.
Many argue that it was catastrophic and world histories, science documents and mathematical theories were lost.
Today, there isn't any archaeological evidence left of the Great Library of Alexandria.
Old Alexandria is buried deep under today's Alexandria.
Scientists and historians don't even know with precision where the Museum was located.
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