Alexandria for Alexander: for a dating of the Alexandrian project

Abstract

On the basis of Strabo’s and Athenaeus’ well known passages (Geograph., XIII, 1, 54, 5-9, Deipnosoph. I, 4, 22-33 and V, 53, 1-11) on the Aristoteles’ books, their arrival to Alexandria has to be considered as a turning point in the history of the famous egyptian library. This circumstance, together with Demetrius’ collaboration with the king Soter, makes probable that the library took an important step forward between 287 and 283 b.C. The hypothesis is sustained by the Soter’s will to honour his old friend Alexander and by Demetrius’ documented activity in the library, which must have taken place only under Soter’s reign.

Keywords

• library of alessandria
• aristoteles
• libraries history