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Why Is Alexander The Great Library Important

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But the importance of the Library was not forgotten. In the 13th century, another story began to circulate, this being the earliest in time. In 640 AD, the Muslims took the city of Alexandria. At the time of Arab conquest in A.D 641, Coptic priest of Alexandria, John the Grammarian had asked Caliph Omar about the fate of the books from the famous library as he was seeking to be entrusted with the royal treasures. With knowledge of the mysterious library said to have an impeccable amount of resources, the general hoped for the caliph to give him the duty of posting in front of the library. The caliph’s answer was infamous: “Touching the books you mention, if what is written in them agrees with the Book of God, they are not required; if it disagrees, …show more content…

However, it was also a time filled with major and disastrous events, including the loss of one of the largest libraries in the world. However, compared to other events at the time, such as the death of Alexander the Great and the domination of the Roman Empire, the Library of Alexandria was outstandingly the most significant. While Alexander the Great was one of the most influential people of his time and played a major role in cultural diffusion and the Roman Empire eventually swallowed the Hellenistic kingdoms, the major difference between the events was that there was much more lost in the burning of the Library. It contained the more original and primary copies of several historical literatures. It was something that could never be brought back, whereas the kingdoms could gain power and rise up or Alexander the Great would be replaced. For instance, it was Alexander the Great who wished that Alexandria be a city of great wealth and philosophy, and although he did not live to see that happen, his successor, Ptolemy, stepped in his place and took over his wishes. The books lost in the Alexandria Library were irreplaceable and the loss of the building was truly a priceless

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