The Rise and Fall of Alexandria: Birthplace of the Modern Mind

by Justin Pollard and Howard Reid

Book Overview

The astonishing story of the ancient city that invented the modern world Founded by Alexander the Great and built by Greek pharaohs, the city of Alexandria at its height dwarfed both Athens and Rome. It was the marvel of its age?legendary for its vast palaces, safe harbors, and magnificent lighthouse. But it was most famous for the astonishing intellectual fluorescence it fostered and the library it produced. If the European Renaissance was the rebirth?...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670037974
• ISBN13: 9780670037971
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 329 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Outstanding read

I am not a scientist and know enough math to barely negotiate my check book, but that is perhaps why I find this book so fine. I am a college professor and use many sources to inspire my students. This book is written with wonderful fluidity. It does not insult the reader, yet it reads with great grace and style covering almost a thousand years of history of this great city. If you are not familiar with ancient Alexandria, I highly recommend this for learning about the amazing discoveries and creativity of learning that was the foundation of many of the great sciences that rival ancient Greece. And how much knowledge was lost when the library in the Museum of Alexandria was destroyed. Enthusiastically recommended.

Alexandria the conjunction of the whole world.

An outstanding book written about Alexandria Egypt. There are barely any books written on this old and historical city. Having lived there for 30 years,it certainly appealed to me to purchase this book. Rise and Fall of Alexandria is not only about the Ptolomies,and the library of Alexandria,or the Roman Empire. It is the history of: philosophy,mathematics,geopgraphy,astrology,medicine,and all the intellectual minds that were born,and came to research study and die in Alexandria. The beginning of Christianity,the translation of the Bible from Hebrew to Greek,what was Christianity and Judaism seen from the eyes of the intellectual Philosophers in Alexandria. Who created the Pharos of Alexandria one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Who created roads,palaces, gardens,and libraries.How it all started and how it all ended. It is a very easy book to read,with so much knowledge,that it would have certainly been kept in the old Alexandria Library had it survived the fire. A must read for those who like ancient history.

Fascinating study of Western thought and learning!

Well written, interesting, and engaging! Covers a wide range of scientific learning and philosophical thought. I've heard a lot about the library in Alexandria, but had no idea of it's real significance.

Chronicles not only the history of the city and its place in ancient times, but surveys its philosop

The Rise and Fall of Alexandria: Birthplace of the modern Mind tells of a city which dwarfed Athens and Rome at the height of its powers. It was legendary for its richness and safety - and its library represented the fruits of civilization. This survey chronicles not only the history of the city and its place in ancient times, but surveys its philosophy, literature, and science. Both general-interest leisure browsers with an affection for early history and college-level students of ancient cultures will want this. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

A Captivating History of a Great City in the Ancient World

This is a wonderful book. It charts the history of Alexandria from its inception in the fourth century BC to its tragic demise about a millennium later. The authors describe the great advances made within the walls of this intellectual capital of the ancient world in the fields of science, astronomy, mathematics, geography, medicine, philosophy, religion, etc. They also introduce the reader to the many luminaries who contributed to these giant steps in human knowledge. The great Alexandrian library, the museum and the incomparable Pharos are all discussed here as well. The writing style is clear, friendly and quite captivating. This major contribution to the literature on ancient history aimed at the non-specialist will surely be savored by general readers and completely devoured by ancient history buffs. One can only imagine what the world would be like today if Alexandria had continued to prosper from its peak during the earlier parts of the Ptolemaic dynasty to today.