Library
Alexander the Great -- the Conquests as a source of knowledge
The Founding of the Library and the Mouseion
The Egyptian Section of the Alexandria Library
The Papyri: Evidence of Greek and Egyptian Scientific Interchange
The Pinakes -- a Bibliographical Survey of the Alexandria Library
The Alexandria Library -- " The Memory of Mankind"
Appendix 1 -- The Contents of the Alexandria Library
Appendix 2 -- The End of the Library
References
The Modern
Library
BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA--The revival of the Ancient Library of Alexandria
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The older one, which originated with Aristeas (Letter, 9-10 IInd cent. BC.) favoured Ptolemy II as founder in association with Demetrius, whereas at variance with this tradition, Iraneaus in the IInd cent. AD. (III 21.2 ) expressly gave the credit to Ptolemy I, son of Lagos.
However the opinion among scholars is almost unanimous now, in favour of Ptolemy I, at whose court c. 297 BC. Demetrius sought refuge after his fall from power in Athens and became his trusted advisor.
Furthermore, we know that Demetrius fell into disfavour with Ptolemy II, and did not long survive his accession to the throne (Diog. L.5.78; Cic. Pro C. Raberio Postumo 23).2
In view of these events, it is obvious that it was Ptolemy I, Soter who, c. 295, commissioned Demetrius with the task of founding the Library and the Mouseion. The choice was most appropriate, for Demetrius, besides being a brilliant politician, was also a most prolific writer "whose learning and versatility" was highly thought of by Diogenes Laertius (5.77-80).
There is little doubt that it was his dynamic role as the first director of the Library and Mouseion that firmly established their international renown.
Photo: A leaf of an open papyrus codex