Case File 178-The Library of Alexandria

Much of Alexander the Great’s success has been attributed to his desire for not only conquest but also for the pursuit of knowledge. This attitude was adopted by many of his generals and contemporaries where it became a sign of nobility to have large and extensive libraries. In the city that bears his name, Alexandria, Alexander’s companion Ptolemy I became king of Egypt after Alexander’s death and decided to continue his former friend and king’s legacy of learning. At the time, Alexandria was the largest city in the western world and it was the ideal place for a gr...