The Vanished Library: A Wonder of the Ancient World (Hellenistic Culture and Society)

Item was well packaged and protected. I had bought this item several years back, but lost it. So I am so happy I bought it again. This is such a great read, it is hard to place it down when you start reading, if you are into reads like these. Really happy I have it again, I was excited when it arrived🥹👍Thank you, so much.

I found this book both informative, as well as, a joy to read. That is because most of it reads more like a novel than a formal academic study. This is done to put the reader into the overall cultural mindset of Alexandria and the library at various points in it's almost 1000 year history.Having done my own research on this topic in college I can vouch for the accuracy and completeness of the author's research. The truth is that there is very little surviving hard data about this institution (and absolutely no surviving archeological evidence.) There is however an original revelation that the layout of the Museum may very well have imitated that of the Ramesseum at Thebes. This is due to the fact that the Greek rulers of the Ptolemaic period adhered closely to classical Egyptian forms- at least in a superficial and material manner.This book clears up some popular misconceptions. First of all, there was no "library" as a separate institution or structure. It was always an inseparable part of the overall Museum. Secondly, the Museum was in no sense a secular institution. It was truly a temple to the Muses, and Holy Wisdom, with sacred functions. Even under Roman control it continued to be administered by a priest.Finally, it would seem that the Romans had nothing to do with the burning of the Museum, indeed there was no damage during the Roman conquest. The greatest damage is shown to have been done in late antiquity at the hands of Christian fanatics- like so many simular of cases of the mindless destruction of our classical heritage.

I found this to be an excellent resource in dispelling the myths about the destruction of the Library of Alexandria. I also learned about the fate of many of Aristotle’s works of which I was unaware previously. Very informative!

A concise history of the greatest library in the ancient world containing information on the number of scrolls in its collection, the design of the building and the notable figures who came into contact with it and the story of its ultimate fate allowing the reader to move at a fast page turning novel like pace.

This is an OK book that is still quite abundant with the history and surrounding events of the Alexandrian Library. Plenty of citings and quotes from many sources before, during and after the destruction of the library. Comparing Rameses II tomb with the Alexandrian Library and its having common features was new to me. Deciphering valid from spurious writings has its intrigue. The author makes a clear distinction with the scrolls that burned on the ship depots from the scrolls in the library during Caesar's attack. Something that is still argued by some. The final destruction and the burning of tens of thousands of scrolls to heat thousands of bathers for six months is highlighted well too. Carl Sagan always erroneously insisted the Alexandrian Library was destroyed by Christendom hundreds of years before this. Further commentaries written long afterward are reviewed too. Somehow I still long for more of the events and history that the book just seems to pass by. I am disappointed that a book discussing one of the great seven wonders of the world never bothers to present any artist renditions or drawings of anything other than a very poor floor-plan drawings (not even on its glossy cover). But it is informative enough and would satisfy anyone of curious learning on the Alexandrian Library.

I had hoped that there would be illustrations-the book was definitely what was described and I expected that the cover would be like the depicted picture, but it was plain-all in all the book lives up to the information and although used showed little signs of wear.

I just couldn't put it down. The first chapters are puzzling and one wonders why Canfora chose this unusual structure for his book. But like a suspense writer, he gives the reader one clue after an other and suddenly everything makes sense. In retrospect one even beliefs that this study could not have been written in a more succinct and lucid way. I finished the 200 pages in five hours and felt like I had read a whole library.

From the beginning of this book, we are treated to historical references [in order of their occurrance] to the famous Library at Alexandria, with an eye toward clearing up the fundamental mysteries surrounding it: where was the Library located? What was its place in ancient culture? And, finally, when and how many times was it really destroyed?An enjoyable and profound read, part history, part mystery; a refreshing change from the dry texts of collegiate studies. A book that engages the imagination as well as the intellect. An excellent piece of detective work.I loved it.