著者

森 貴史

出版者

関西大学文化財保存修復研究拠点

雑誌

Semawy Menu

巻号頁・発行日

vol.4, pp.117-129, 2013-03-04

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After Alexander the Great died, his successor Ptolemy I, known as Ptolemy Soter, became the ruler of Egypt and set about making the Mediterranean city, Alexandria, not only the center of politics, but also the center of learning and culture. Soter also founded the Great Library of Alexandria (hereinafter referred to as the Great Library), and the Great Library became most famous for its collection of cultural and intellectual works in the ancient world. All the remains and sites, however, were under water and their historical details are unclear. "Mouseion" had also the Great Library, and many top scholars and intellectuals were brought together to contribute to the development of the academic achievements during the Hellenistic period. It is also said that the Great Library played an important role in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, "The Septuagint," the translation of the seventy interpreters. The policies on religion included the creation of Serapis, an ancient Egyptian religion. Serapis was actually a composite of the Egyptian god and the Greek god, and was created to form a spiritually integrated world of both the Egyptian and Greek people. As the Ptolemy Dynasty in Egypt began to fade, the Great Library as well as Serapis decreased in strength. Nevertheless, the culture of Alexandria, the ancient academic city, and the characteristics of the Great Library are still worth reviewing because their concept is a prototype of criteria for modern universities and libraries.