Return to Lesson

Opening of the Royal Library at Alexandria Fact-Matching Game

Turn off ads with a Pro Membership!

Summoning Knowledge...

About This Challenge

The opening of the Royal Library at Alexandria was a monumental event in ancient history, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of valuable information. In this context, we have developed a fact-matching game that allows players to piece together important information fragments just like scholars at the library would have done.

  • Players will explore different locations to uncover clues and solve puzzles
  • Use spells for hints and extra time to piece together the information

Game Details: a fact-matching game where you piece together important information fragments. Use spells for hints and extra time!

Need a Hint? View the Facts
  • The Royal Library at Alexandria was founded by Ptolemy I Soter in the 3rd century BC.
  • It was a major center of learning and scholarship in the ancient world.
  • The library was part of the larger Mouseion, a temple dedicated to the Muses.
  • The library aimed to collect all knowledge of the world and had a vast collection of scrolls and manuscripts.
  • It is estimated that the library housed between 40,000 to 400,000 scrolls.
  • The library attracted scholars from different parts of the world who came to study and conduct research.
  • The library had a policy of acquiring books from all sources, including confiscation from travelers and ships entering the port.
  • The library had lecture halls, gardens, and even a zoo, making it a center for intellectual and recreational activities.
  • Famous scholars such as Euclid, Archimedes, and Eratosthenes were associated with the library.
  • The library was destroyed in multiple fires and periods of political unrest, leading to its gradual decline.
  • The exact date of the library's final destruction is uncertain, but it likely occurred between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD.
  • The loss of the library's collection is considered a significant loss of ancient knowledge and scholarship.
  • The library's destruction is often attributed to Julius Caesar during his invasion of Egypt in 48 BC.
  • However, there is debate among historians about the extent of Caesar's involvement in the library's destruction.
  • The library's legacy influenced the development of future libraries and the preservation of knowledge.
  • The concept of a universal library, aiming to collect all knowledge, traces back to the Royal Library at Alexandria.
  • The library's destruction led to efforts to rebuild and recreate its legacy in different parts of the world.
  • The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library and cultural center, was built near the site of the original library in Alexandria, Egypt.
  • The Bibliotheca Alexandrina seeks to continue the spirit of the ancient library by promoting knowledge, research, and cultural exchange.
  • The opening of the Royal Library at Alexandria marked a significant milestone in the history of human intellectual progress.

Need a Refresher?

Return to the Main Lesson
Scroll to Top