The Most Important Intellectual Event Ever, The Library of Alexandria (Habakkuk 2:14)

A major advance in God’s Story of Grace was The Library of Alexandria. It was the the most important event of intellectual history of the ancient world and maybe for time immemorial. The results of this library’s influence have echoed loudly throughout history, and its sounds are continuing to be heard. This is a central reason for why Greek language and Greek culture spread throughout the Western world allowing for the spread of science, classical literature, democracy and most importantly the Bible and ultimately the Christian faith. Because of this library, it facilitated the declaration of the prophet Habakkuk, which he declared in the midst of his lament:

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:4

In this article we will explore what this great library did to shape the world to more reflect the trinitarian reality of increase unity (the oneness of the Trinity) across nations with the greater freedom (the unique persons of the Trinity) with individual thought, personal agency and representative democracy.

The Significance of the Alexandrian Library

Founded in the early 3rd century BC, it attracted the best thinkers, researchers, and scientists from all over the world. In addition, it housed the world’s greatest body of knowledge with a collection of as many as 500,000 scrolls (ancient books) which included works of religion, literature, history, law, math, and science. Because of this, there were significant advances in:

• Scientific & Mathematical Understanding. Scholars who made significant and lasting contributions in these areas include Euclid in mathematics , Archimedes in physics, Galen in medicine, and Eratosthenes in astronomy, to name a few.
• Literary Preservation. Many great and lasting texts of literature were preserved which may have otherwise been lost. Among them were the works of Homer, Sophocles, Plato and Aristotle.
• Cultural Interaction: The library attracted the greatest minds from across the world, fostering a vibrant exchange and cross-pollination of ideas.
• Biblical Knowledge. The most important contribution of the Library of Alexandria was the the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) known as the Septuagint. It was here that Jewish scholars verses in Greek began the translation of their sacred writings. This ultimately allowed for the worldwide spread of the Bible and ultimately Christianity.

Why Alexandria Egypt?

Alexander the Great entered Egypt in 332 BC where he was welcomed by the Egyptians as a liberator from the oppression of Persian rule. He embraced Egypt as his own respecting Egyptian culture and religion, even adopting some Egyptian titles and practices.  In his embrace of Egypt, he founded the city of Alexandria. Strategically located along the mouth of the Nile, it was positioned to become a major center of Hellenism (the movement to spread Greek culture and ideas) and trade as it was easily accessible to other nations by sea.  Alexander established a Greek government to control the administration of Egypt.  Greek influence was further reinforced by the settlement of Alexander’s veterans throughout Egypt, who formed a privileged aristocracy (ruling elite) that gradually assimilated with the Egyptians. 

After Alexander’s death, his general Ptolemy took control of Egypt and established a dynasty which ruled Egypt for nearly three centuries. As was hoped, the city of Alexandria emerged as a center of Hellenism which spread Greek learning and culture.  Its location was not only great for international trade and commerce, but cultural engagement among nations. Further, Egypt was a major producer of papyrus (this is where we get the word “paper”) which was the primary writing material of the time, ensuring a readily available supply for the library’s growing collection for the scribes who worked tirelessly to copy manuscripts. These factors made it ideal for a library of international repute. Ptolemy was a man of intelligence and iron will. He placed many scholars on his payroll.

Alexandria’s Most Notable Influences

Euclid the Mathematician

Euclid, known as the “father of geometry,” lived in Alexandria during the time of Ptolemy I, who reigned over Egypt from 323 to 285 BC, and is thought to have been among the library’s first scholars. Here he wrote his influential Elements which laid the foundations for mathematical reasoning and geometry as we know it even today. The logical structure and rigorous proofs in Elements set a standard for mathematical reasoning. This became the standard textbook for mathematical education in the ancient world, the Islamic world, and in Europe until almost the present time. Newton’s Principia, which marked the beginning of modern physics, took Euclid’s work as its intellectual model.

Archimedes the Engineer

Archimedes, a prominent figure in physics and mathematics, is especially known for his contributions to the science of matter, including the principle of buoyancy and the “Archimedes screw” which was used to transport water from a lower to a higher level. This is still commonly used today in water treatment plants, irrigation systems, and even for generating hydroelectric power. He also made significant contributions to mathematics, including calculating the area and volume of geometric shapes and approximating the value of pi. He is also famous for his work on levers and pulleys and inventions of various machines. He was so absorbed in his intellectual pursuits, it is said that he would frequently forget to eat or bathe. 

Galen the Physician

Galen, a renowned physician, surgeon, and philosopher, studied in Alexandria and drew inspiration from the library there, which housed knowledge about anatomy and physiology. Galen made significant advances in medicine by advocating for anatomical studies through dissection (mainly performed on animals), demonstrating that arteries carry blood not air (a concept that had been taught for 400 years). Galen strongly believed in the importance of anatomy as the foundation of medical knowledge. He made important observations about the nervous system, including functions of the spinal nerves. He was the first physician to use the pulse as a sign of illness.  Galen’s work contributed to the improvement of surgical skills. His writings and theories dominated medical thought for over 1,500 years, and his influence remains significant in the history of medicine. 

Eratosthenes the Astronomer

Eratosthenes, an astronomer and mathematician, made significant advances in the study of the stars and the planets. He astoundingly provided an accurate calculation of the earth’s circumference and axial tilt, and is credited with creating the armillary sphere, an early astronomical device.  He developed a system of longitude and latitude and made a map of the known world. He is credited with coining the term “geography”. He created the Sieve of Eratosthenes, a method for finding prime numbers. 

Preserved the Heritage of Literature

The library housed a vast collection of scrolls and papyri, including works by prominent figures making it a store house of knowledge. This is where many of the great texts from Greece, Persia, Mesopotamia and other places were kept in safe keeping. With housing all of these ancient documents, this was the place where the science of textual criticism developed (the process of attempting to ascertain the original wording of a text). Harold Ellens summarizes the gift that the Alexandrian Library brought to us:

It stimulated an intensive editorial program that spawned the development of critical editions, textual exegesis [interpretation of texts] and such basic research tools as dictionaries, concordances and encyclopedias. The library in fact developed into a huge research institution comparable to a modern university—containing a center for the collection of books, a museum for the preservation of scientific artifacts, residences and workrooms for scholars, lecture halls and a refectory.

The Biggest Contributions to Advance God’s Story

The Septuagint

As already reported, The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). The word Septuagint means “70” in Latin and refers to the 70 translators of the first five books of the Old Testament. The rest of the Old Testament would be translated in subsequent years. Its great significance comes from two facts:

1. The Septuagint translation of the Old Testament is quoted by the New Testament writers more than 300 times. (This is much more frequent than quotations of the original Hebrew Old Testament.) Approximately 7% of the New Testament consists of Septuagint quotes.
2. For several centuries it was the Bible of Christians in regard to their reading and study of the Old Testament. As the large majority of gentiles did not read or speak Hebrew, the Septuagint made scripture accessible to God-fearing gentiles (gentiles who practiced Judaism) and the early church.

The Septuagint would not have been translated had it not been for the resources provided at the Alexandrian Library. By the fact that this work was part of the Christian Bible for several centuries and makes up 7% of the New Testament, it would appear to give strong evidence that the formation of the Alexandrian Library was part of God’s Story of Grace to advance his plan in the world.

The Alexandrian Text of the New Testament

The Library of Alexandria, with its nearly 500,000 books, had a strong tradition of copying. As works were collected, scribes–those who copied manuscripts–would diligently reproduce the works. Their work was crucial in preserving and disseminating these works. It was out of this scribal discipline that key manuscripts of the New Testament have been delivered to us.

As Christianity spread to Alexandria, Egypt as early as 49 AD, letters now consisting of the New Testament were brought to the Alexandrian church. Christians trained in the scribal discipline copied these letters so they could be more widely read. It is from Alexandria that we have around 30 New Testament manuscripts, either in part or whole. These 30 copies make up only a very small percentage of all the ancient manuscripts we have of the New Testament, but Alexandria gives us our oldest texts, one of which dates back to 125 AD of a portion of the Gospel of John.

Conclusion

As Zechariah proclaimed of the Messiah:

He will proclaim peace to the nations.
    His rule will extend from sea to sea
    and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah 9:10)

The founding of the Library of Alexandria was one more step in God’s Story of Grace to proclaim peace to the nations!