THE 3 MAIN THEORIES
Was it Caesar?
THEORY
It is said that in 48 BC, during Caesar's control over the City of Alexandria, he was in the Royal Palace, protected by the Egyptian fleet in the harbour. Caesar ordered his men to set fire to the ships for his own safety, however, the fire got out of hand and spread to the parts of the city closest to the shore. Some of the places included, warehouses, depots and the Library of Alexandria.
It is said that in 48 BC, during Caesar's control over the City of Alexandria, he was in the Royal Palace, protected by the Egyptian fleet in the harbour. Caesar ordered his men to set fire to the ships for his own safety, however, the fire got out of hand and spread to the parts of the city closest to the shore. Some of the places included, warehouses, depots and the Library of Alexandria.
Seneca, a Roman philosopher and scriptwriter said (quoting from 'Livy's History of Rome') that 40,000 scrolls were destroyed in an inferno started by Caesar. Greek Historian, Plutarch, mentioned that a great fire incinerated the library, and Roman historian, Dio Cassius, recorded that a blaze destroyed a warehouse full of documents.
Bishop Theophilus?
THEORY
In AD 391, Emperor Theodosius I wanted to wipe out paganism, so he officially granted permission to Theophilus, Bishop of Alexandria, to destroy the Serapeum (Temple of Serapis) and to then build a Christian church on the site of the Daughter library.
In AD 391, Emperor Theodosius I wanted to wipe out paganism, so he officially granted permission to Theophilus, Bishop of Alexandria, to destroy the Serapeum (Temple of Serapis) and to then build a Christian church on the site of the Daughter library.
No ancient sources mention the destruction of the library at this time, however, 18th century English historian Edward Gibbon blamed the destruction on Bishop Theophilus.
The Muslim Caliph Omar?
In AD 640, under General Amrou ibnel-Ass, the Arabs captured Alexandria after a long siege. Apparently, the Arabs were eager to see the Great Library of Alexandria, that contained the knowledge of the world. However, the Muslim Caliph, had no emotional connection and saw no reason to preserve the documents of the library, and gave the answer " If the books agree with the Koran (Muslim scripture), they are not necessary. If they disagree, they are not desired. Therefore, destroy them."
According to tradition, for 6 months the scrolls were used as fuel for the 4,000 bathhouses in the city.
