What Really Happened To Ancient Alexandria?

The story of a city founded out of the desert by Alexander the Great in 331 BC to become the world's first global centre of culture, into which wealth and knowledge poured from across the world.

Odyssey is your journey into the world of Ancient History; from the dawn of Mesopotamia to the fall of Rome. We'll be bringing you only the best documentaries that journey into the mysteries and ruins of worlds long lost.

Subsribe so you don't miss out!

It's like Netflix for History: the world's finest documentary streaming service -- use the code 'Odyssey' to get 50% off your History Hit subscription!

[dougbell]

The destruction of the great Alexandrian library is so very tragic!

[Bootmahoy]

My word, how have I just found this scholarly channel now? It’s so well organized and presented with passion and panache! I’m hooked. Thankyou!

[angelique]

I am made to enjoy this from the Lady's passion and charisma, she tells the story as I've never heard before. I am spellbound.

[Red_Rebel]

The great Hypatia’s violent and tragic death was one of the indication of the beginning of the dark ages. A new era of power but to be wronged and condemned for being intellectual as a woman reverberated throughout the modern world like the witch trials. Really one of the saddest turns of events to me.

[peterroberts]

Bettany Hughes reinvigorated history on television with her passion👍👍❤️❤️

[rogersledz]

Thank you so much for uploading this video. It is helping me to get through the pandemic!

[erichtomanek]

I have seen this documentary on another channel. But when it's Bettany

[jhweisen]

Thank you this and and the many other wonderful presentations!

[aamirnawab]

bettany the way u explain the story of lost ancient world comes to life from the past ppl like me feels tht like i am watching with my own eyes n seening the real evants happening even after very long time before us thmk u

[tondakremble]

I've only just now discovered this video. It's awesome. So we'll done. And Bettany is a great presenter. She has such style & class & a very calming & beautiful voice. Loved it!

[garygone]

Well done professor Hughes. Beautiful and informative documentary. Thank You.

[Jeff_B]

Very Cosmos-esque beginning, I love it.... a subtle salute to Sagan.

[hideousruin]

Ahh...

This lady is awesome.

Most of the time I get frustrated by the hosts of these history shows dumbing things down.

Best of all she doesn't ask the experts stupid questions. Usually these hosts ask questions befitting elementary school students.

[haroldshull]

An interesting presentation. The end of Hypatia was gruesome indeed, but from my reading 30/40 years ago, was acompanied with the burning of the library of Alexandria. Being a show about the library I saw that as an omission. The library was burned by Moslems who saw it's books as blasphemy. By 1000 or 1100 AD there were many things in libraries that conflicted with Moslem scriptures. Their answer was to make the Koran the source of all knowledge. If one had a question and the Koran didn't have the answer - the question didn't exist.
In trying to clear this up I found references to both these events which happened 5 to 600 years apart. But to leave out the Burning of the Library of Alexandria in a program about the library seems a bit of an oversight.

[koksalceylan]

Bettany you are very good historian, thanks you.

[ryansims]

I'm not sure why it's not mentioned but but the Alexandrian library was burned three times. First, during Julias Cesar's attack on the harbor, apparently accidentally. Next by order of the Roman emperor Theodosius in 391AD. And finally and completely by the Caliph Omar in 640AD. It's said it still took muslim forces 6 months to burn all the documents as fuel for the bathhouses in the city.

[sanialmuna]

22:21 Hypatia is also my favorite great scientist in Civilization 6 game.

[sufficientlyoldskool]

Very interesting look at a wonderous city and its tragic demise. I do wish she would have expanded a little more on what exactly happened. The ending felt a bit rushed.

[Alexey]

Many Thanks for this excellent and informative presentation of magnificent and wonderful place in Ancient World : Alexandria !

[Amethyst_Dragon_]

Awesome video..
Thank you for posting