The library of Alexandria and the fire that did not destroy it. II: The 17th and 18th centuries

Abstract

In this paper we deal with some XVII and XVIII centuries studies on the Library of Alexandria. Some of the most important contributions here considered are André Schott’s corollarium to the Lipsius’s Syntagma (1606), Gronovius’ Exercitationes academicae de Museo Alexandrino (1699), Bonamy’s Dissertation historique sur la bibliotheque d’Alexandrie (1736) and Christian Daniel Beck’s degree thesis entitled Specimen historiae bibliothecarum Alexandrinarum (1779). These studies on one hand review the ancient testimonies on the library - widened up by Galenus’ significant passages - on the other investigate the classical authors with a more severe philological method, drawing very precise conclusions. Most impostant achievements are: Museum and library, treated until then as two separate institutions, are now seen as a one, the library being part of the Museum, in consideration of its subordinated role, subject to the information needs of the Museum members. In this view more and more difficult is to place the caesarian fire, widely made responsible by the classical tradition to have burnt the library, while no damage is done to the Museum. Finally the contribution of the ancient topography of Alexandria begins to be of primary importance to sustain the literary tradition data, which undergo the conclusive examination of the archaeological point of view.

Keywords

• library of alexandria
• museum of alexandria
• serapeum library
• ancient libraries history
• classical philology