Thinking Thursday- Zenobia visit one of the greatest libraries in history.

 Ancient Alexandria became and for a long while remained an intellectual capital of the world. Alexandria became home to the world’s first-ever university. Main attraction was the Alexandria library. Go with Zelina and Zenobia as they visit the Alexandria Library in chapter 33 of Zenobia – Birth of a Legend.

 After a short ride they drew near the docks lining the harbor that opened onto the Great Sea. “Many of these buildings, and the docks themselves, were once made of wood, but now they are all stone,” her mother commented.

“Why?” asked Zenobia. “And how do you know?”

“I read a lot and I listen a lot,” came the reply, answering the second question first. “Nearly three hundred years ago, a great fire destroyed the docks, the buildings, and much of the greatest library the world has ever known. Thus, it was all rebuilt out of stone.”

“I thought you said we were going to see the greatest library.”

“In this part of the world, if you remember. The one in Pergamum is much larger. But the library in Alexandria now is only about one-tenth the size of the original one destroyed in the fire. That one held a million books!”

“How sad!” Zenobia exclaimed. “What happened?”

“That depends on who you ask. Most Egyptians believe the fire was started on the docks by Julius Caesar, the Roman general, to catch his enemy’s ship on fire. The fire then accidentally spread to the great library and its academy.”

“How incredibly stupid! How wasteful!” Zenobia searched unsuccessfully for words to describe her fury over the insanity of the wanton destruction of half a million books.

“Of course, the Romans blame the fire on the Egyptians.”

“Naturally,” observed Salim. “Leaders always blame someone else.”

When they arrived, she saw that the library building was of Grecian rather than Egyptian design. “Most of the structures in this part of the city show more Greek influence than local,” explained Zelina. “That’s because the rulers for three centuries were of Greek heritage. Some of them did not even speak Egyptian.”

The women and Salim entered the library … They had to register at a desk in the entryway. Nearby a wall plaque proclaimed, “Books are gates to treasure stores of knowledge.”

     Zenobia gazed around and saw three corridors of wings heading off in different directions. Rows of bookcases lined the centers of the corridors, with lots of openings on the exterior walls, evidently for lighting. She noted rolled up canvases of some sort above each opening, which she assumed would be lowered at night and in case of storms to protect the volumes. Tables and chairs were placed by the openings and attendants were plentiful to guard the precious books. 

     ”This is huge!” Zenobia proclaimed. “It’s hard to imagine the amount of information stored here.” 

     ”And the amount of effort it took to produce it,” Salim finished. 

“Books are gates to treasure stores of knowledge.”