The Library of Alexandria

Simon's Social Media:

This video is #sponsored by Athletic Greens.

Love content? Check out Simon's other YouTube Channels:

[joshuaeason]

Of all the ancient wonders of the world that no longer exist, this is the one that makes me the most sad. Who knows what knowledge was lost with the destruction of this library? Absolute tragedy.

[Sup_ERS_Tar]

The destruction of this library was/is a crime against humanity, and I despise book burners. I don't care what the book is about; books and knowledge should never be burned. But we all know that tyrants throughout history have burned books because they didn't agree with what they were about...I understand why they did it, but I am disgusted by it.

[danielreuben]

What a list of people who spent time there. This would be a wonderful place to go in a time machine. Just to be able to sit and discuss things with these people.

[ziggywiggy]

You have to wonder how far the loss of Alexandria set Humanity back both culturally and technologically. Its entirely possible its loss had no effect at all (there were numerous other libraries around the globe just on a smaller scale and even without the printing press the copying of important texts did happen.) But equally it could have been catastrophic and ultimatly set humanity back centuries. We will never know, but either way the loss any knowledge is tragic.

[noahlogue]

As a kid who loved history when i read about the great library burning i honestly cried.

[ignitionfrn]

2:55 - Chapter 1 - Beginnings
6:45 - Chapter 2 - Knowledge is power
8:35 - Chapter 3 - The scholars within
12:20 - Chapter 4 - The fate of the library
14:55 - Chapter 5 - The legacy left behind

[roser]

I love libraries. I wish I had one in my home. I would’ve loved to have seen this library. It sounds amazing.

[Lickylongtym]

"Knowledge is power" "the pen is mightier than the sword" the keeping of accountants. People, places, countries, maps, laws pretty much everything and anything to leave for those in the future is an amazing thing!

[patsysadowski]

The internet, while not curated with the same lofty goals, is still a modern variation of the library. Let’s hope we don’t let fear and hate burn that too.

[skyden]

Having had a lifelong appreciation of libraries, from the "lowly" school library, to even the fictional library of the *Clue Mansion, if ever having the unlikely opportunity to time travel, I would definitely want to visit the Library of Alexandria. 😊

[ryanc]

New rich person goal, build an absolutely badass library (open to the public by appointment at least, as a library without the public is just sad). But like, marble columns and such with elaborate book shelves stocked with books upon books upon books. Would be fantastic.

[aneesanusret]

Simon, you legend, I've never discovered a podcast better in my entire life up until this point and this show is what I now live for.

[DSS-jjcw]

If I had a time machine this would be on my bucket list for visiting ancient times. This and the seven wonders.

[kyleranderson]

I’m very excited to hear this one!! I have lots of interest in this topic so hell yeah. Let’s go fact boy

[vasilerogojan]

Finally, a video about one of the wonders of the Ancient world that ended because of a fire that destroyed a lot of ancient knowledge.

[marisapanzarin]

The first place id visit if i ever went back in time is that great library

[HeyMJ.]

When the Grid goes down,
Librarians will RULE!

[dinomonzon]

The Library of Alexandria was the focal point of Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt novel Treasure, and the subject of one episode of SeaQuest D. S. V. .

[charlesjmouse]

Very good, thank you. It's not so much the works of science that might have been lost, as scientific insights can always be rediscovered. It's the works of history and literature that are lost to us forever that is the tragedy of the library of Alexandria.
There can be few acts more evil than the destruction or perversion of history, and few acts more barbaric than the destruction or perversion of literature. I say this as a man who has spent his entire life in the pursuit and service of scientific endeavour.

[SpikeRazzor]

We were on the verge of greatness. We were this close.