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The Rest Is HistoryAug 20, 2023

361. The Lost Library of Alexandria

Summary, books mentioned, source context, and timestamps for 361. The Lost Library of Alexandria on The Rest Is History.

Books mentioned

The Vanished Library Ptolemaic Alexandria The Library of Babel+1 more

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361. The Lost Library of Alexandria includes mentions of The Vanished Library by Luciano Canfora, Ptolemaic Alexandria by P.M. Fraser, The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges, and The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, with indexed source context and timestamps where available.

The Vanished Library Ptolemaic Alexandria The Library of Babel The Name of the Rose

3 books from this episode

The Vanished Library

Luciano Canfora

Indexed context: The host mentions 'The Vanished Library' to discuss the relationship between the Library of Alexandria and the Museum, arguing that the library may n…

Ptolemaic Alexandria

P.M. Fraser

Indexed context: The host discusses the implications of P.M. Fraser's work on the Library of Alexandria, particularly its integration within the museum complex. This…

The Library of Babel

Jorge Luis Borges

Indexed context: The host mentions 'The Library of Babel' to illustrate the concept of a library that contains every possible book, reflecting the mythic quality of t…

Episode summary

One of the greatest institutions of the ancient world, the Library of Alexandria was the embodiment of ultimate learning, and a “repository of everything”. Built within the same complex as the tomb of Alexander the Great, it stood as a beacon of knowledge, boasting an unparalleled collection of scrolls and manuscripts from across the world. Join Tom and Dominic as they explore the story of the Library, its role in the ancient world, and who eventually destroyed it… *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand, and Australia! Buy your tickets here: restishistorypod.com Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith

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The Vanished Library

Luciano Canfora

The host mentions 'The Vanished Library' to discuss the relationship between the Library of Alexandria and the Museum…

Card

Ptolemaic Alexandria

P.M. Fraser

The host discusses the implications of P.M. Fraser's work on the Library of Alexandria, particularly its integration…

Card

The Library of Babel

Jorge Luis Borges

The host mentions 'The Library of Babel' to illustrate the concept of a library that contains every possible book, re…

Card

The Name of the Rose

Umberto Eco

The host discusses the mythic qualities of the Library of Alexandria and its influence on literature and culture. The…

Card

Gilgamesh

The host discusses the significance of ancient libraries, particularly focusing on the library of Ashurbanipal, which…

Card

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Edward Gibbon

The host discusses Edward Gibbon's portrayal of the destruction of the library of Alexandria, highlighting Gibbon's b…

Card

The Darkening Age

Catherine Nixey

The host references 'The Darkening Age' to critique the narrative that Christianity was solely responsible for the de…

Card

Adventures in Time

Dominic Sandbrook

The host mentions 'Adventures in Time' in the context of discussing the historical significance of libraries and thei…

Card

Book mentions8

Media mentions1

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What is 361. The Lost Library of Alexandria about?

Summary, books mentioned, source context, and timestamps for 361. The Lost Library of Alexandria on The Rest Is History.

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What are the main takeaways from 361. The Lost Library of Alexandria?

These themes are drawn from the indexed episode description and linked mentions for 361. The Lost Library of Alexandria.

The conversation centers on destruction of the library.
A second recurring theme is Library of Alexandria.
Referenced books include The Vanished Library by Luciano Canfora and Ptolemaic Alexandria by P.M. Fraser.
Related interests include Scholars and enthusiasts of ancient history and Historians and scholars interested in ancient libraries.

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Which books are mentioned in 361. The Lost Library of Alexandria?

The Vanished Library by Luciano Canfora, Ptolemaic Alexandria by P.M. Fraser, and The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges are the clearest linked books in this episode, each tied back to source cards and timestamps where available.

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Topics

destruction of the library(2)Library of Alexandria(2)ancient libraries and texts(1)libraries and culture(1)myth of the library(1)myth of the Library of(1)

Mention types

Deep Dive(5)Critical Analysis(2)Passing Reference(1)

Related interests

Scholars and enthusiasts of ancient historyHistorians and scholars interested in ancient librariesReaders interested in literature, history, and the concept of universal knowledge.Readers interested in literary connections and historical mythsHistorians and literature enthusiastsHistorians and readers interested in religious and cultural history

Books Mentioned

The full list below is ranked by how useful each mention is to a listener: stronger recommendation language, clearer source context, and better timestamp support rise first.

The Vanished Library

Luciano Canfora

Best for Scholars and enthusiasts of ancient historyOften cited around Library of Alexandria

Indexed context

The speaker references a book called The Vanished Library by the Italian scholar Luciano Canfora, who argues that Strabo does not mention the library because it did not constitute a separate room.

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Library of Alexandria

For: Scholars and enthusiasts of ancient history

Indexed context: I think the most convincing explanation for this is in a book called The Vanished Library by the Italian scholar Luciano Canfora, who argues, Strabo does not mention the library for the simple reason that it did not constitute a separate room.

The host mentions 'The Vanished Library' to discuss the relationship between the Library of Alexandria and the Museum, arguing that the library may not have been a separate building. This book provides a compelling argument that challenges traditional assumptions about the library's structure and existence.

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Ptolemaic Alexandria

P.M. Fraser

Best for Historians and scholars interested in ancient librariesOften cited around Library of Alexandria

Indexed context

The speaker mentions the author of Ptolemaic Alexandria, P.M. Fraser, who points out that the Library of Alexandria inspires a copycat example in Pergamum.

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: Library of Alexandria

For: Historians and scholars interested in ancient libraries

Indexed context: I think that what makes this such a convincing argument is that the original word for library in Greek is actually the shelves on which books are kept.

The host discusses the implications of P.M. Fraser's work on the Library of Alexandria, particularly its integration within the museum complex. This exploration raises questions about the physical structure of the library and its historical context, drawing parallels to other ancient sites.

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The Library of Babel

Jorge Luis Borges

Best for Readers interested in literature, history, and the concept of universal knowledge.Often cited around myth of the library

Indexed context

A wonderful short story by Jorge Luis Borges, which contains not just every book that's ever been written, but every possible book that might be written.

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: myth of the library

For: Readers interested in literature, history, and the concept of universal knowledge.

Indexed context: the fact that it hasn't survived, that no trace of its remains exist, that all its texts have vanished, and we'll be talking about how and why they might have vanished later in the show.

The host mentions 'The Library of Babel' to illustrate the concept of a library that contains every possible book, reflecting the mythic quality of the Great Library of Alexandria. This connection highlights how the idea of universal knowledge has evolved and influenced literature and culture.

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The Name of the Rose

Umberto Eco

Best for Readers interested in literary connections and historical mythsOften cited around myth of the Library of

Indexed context

Borges's library is kind of one of the models for the library in The Name of the Rose.

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: myth of the Library of

For: Readers interested in literary connections and historical myths

Indexed context: the library in The Name of the Rose?

The host discusses the mythic qualities of the Library of Alexandria and its influence on literature and culture. They connect this idea to Borges's concept of a universal library and its representation in 'The Name of the Rose'.

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Gilgamesh

Best for Historians and literature enthusiastsOften cited around ancient libraries and texts

Indexed context

Gilgamesh is mentioned as the most famous classic literary text found among the clay tablets in the Assyrian library founded by Ashurbanipal.

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Sentiment: Deep Dive

Trigger: ancient libraries and texts

For: Historians and literature enthusiasts

Indexed context: But there were a few kind of classic literary texts of which Gilgamesh is the most famous.

The host discusses the significance of ancient libraries, particularly focusing on the library of Ashurbanipal, which housed many important texts including the Epic of Gilgamesh. This mention illustrates the role of such texts in understanding ancient civilizations and their cultural practices.

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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Edward Gibbon

Best for Historians and readers interested in religious and cultural historyOften cited around destruction of the library

Indexed context

Gibbon writes about the valuable library of Alexandria being pillaged or destroyed, presenting Christians as bigots and villains in his narrative.

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Sentiment: Critical Analysis

Trigger: destruction of the library

For: Historians and readers interested in religious and cultural history

Indexed context: Gibbon is thinking of the shelves of the Bodleian being stripped, I think, there.

The host discusses Edward Gibbon's portrayal of the destruction of the library of Alexandria, highlighting Gibbon's biases against Christians. This mention serves to critique the narrative that blames Christianity for the loss of classical knowledge.

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The Darkening Age

Catherine Nixey

Best for Historians and readers interested in religious historyOften cited around destruction of the library

Indexed context

Nixey argues that the tremendous learning of the classical world was destroyed by Christians, claiming Christianity was responsible for a darkening age.

View mention details

Sentiment: Critical Analysis

Trigger: destruction of the library

For: Historians and readers interested in religious history

Indexed context: she basically argued, all this tremendous learning of the classical world was destroyed by the Christians, that Christianity was responsible for plunging the world into a darkening age, as she calls it.

The host references 'The Darkening Age' to critique the narrative that Christianity was solely responsible for the decline of classical learning. The book is mentioned as part of a broader discussion on historical interpretations of the destruction of knowledge during the transition to Christianity.

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Adventures in Time

Dominic Sandbrook

Best for children and young readers interested in historyOften cited around libraries and culture

Indexed context

The speaker mentions writing their own 'Adventures in Time' book about Cleopatra, including a scene with her in the Library.

View mention details

Sentiment: Passing Reference

Trigger: libraries and culture

For: children and young readers interested in history

Indexed context: thanks to the Adventures in Time series.

The host mentions 'Adventures in Time' in the context of discussing the historical significance of libraries and their cultural implications. The book serves as an inspiration for children to learn about historical figures like Alexander the Great.

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Book picks by email

Get more book picks with podcast context.

The Vanished Library

The Rest Is History · 26:03

Indexed context: The host mentions 'The Vanished Library' to discuss the relationship between the Library of Alexandria and the Museum, arguing that the library may n…

Ptolemaic Alexandria

The Rest Is History · 26:17

Indexed context: The host discusses the implications of P.M. Fraser's work on the Library of Alexandria, particularly its integration within the museum complex. This…

The Library of Babel

The Rest Is History · 2:43

Indexed context: The host mentions 'The Library of Babel' to illustrate the concept of a library that contains every possible book, reflecting the mythic quality of t…

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