The Rise and Fall of Alexandria

Birthplace of the Modern Mind

By: Justin Pollard, Howard Reid

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Founded by Alexander the Great and built by self-styled Greek pharaohs, the city of Alexandria at its height dwarfed both Athens and Rome. It was the marvel of its age, legendary for its vast palaces, safe harbors, and magnificent lighthouse. But it was most famous for the astonishing intellectual efflorescence it fostered and the library it produced. If the European Renaissance was the "rebirth" of Western culture, then Alexandria, Egypt, was its birthplace.

It was here mankind first discovered that the earth was not flat, originated atomic theory, invented geometry, systematized grammar, translated the Old Testament into Greek, built the steam engine, and passed their discoveries on to future generations via the written word. Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Jewish scholars, Greek philosophers, and devout early Christians all play a part in the rise and fall of the city that stood "at the conjunction of the whole world". Sparkling with fresh insights into science, philosophy, culture, and invention, this is an irresistible, edifying delight.

©2006 Justin Pollard and Howard Reid (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A nourishing account." (Publishers Weekly)
"Classical history buffs will savor this survey." (Booklist)

Alexandria not Rome, Athens or Judea World Center

If you think Rome, Athens or Judea were the center of the Ancient World--Think Again. The book describes the rise of Alexandria as the first Planned City to attract knowledge workers, traders and world leaders. A 10 Century saga that covers all aspects of life, the influence of the Ptolemy Dynasty to Cleopatra, the great thinkers from Euclid, the Great Library, the Lighthouse just for starters. A must read for history buffs et al

An Unexpcted Gem!

I thought I knew a little bit about Alexandria, but this book showed me how little I actually knew!

The history of this city and the people who made it what it became is well worth your credit! I had no idea how much this city and the (famous) people who lived there shaped the western world for centuries. I was so surprised by the discoveries that we had been taught only arrived in the Enlightenment that actually were "old news" in Alexandria. You'll be surprised by the familiar names of so many inventors, philosophers, rulers, and others who are wrapped up closely in the history of this city. This is not "dry" history; the authors do a good job of keeping us interested - mostly because it really was not a boring or "dry" topic! (...and besides, Simon Vance has never disappointed me.)

Side note: This city was so far ahead of it's time - if only the discoveries of this culture had not been buried for centuries... It leaves you wondering where we might be today....

Excellent

What did you love best about The Rise and Fall of Alexandria?

A very comprehensive history.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ptolemy. Didn't realize how much of an influence he was.

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Engaging voice, Makes the story flow.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The decline of the city

Any additional comments?

Excellent listen. This audiobook made the history very entertaining. I had a hard time not listening to the whole thing at once!

Everything you could wish for

I learned so much from this book then I even expected. I may listen to again several times. Well done and the narrator was perfect!

From Where it Came and Who Knows How It Went?

The Rise and Fall of Alexandria: Birthplace of the Modern Mind, by Justin Pollard, Howard Reid, is a magnificently organized, conceptually presented history of Western or Mediterranean civilization between the end of Alexander the Great’s time and into the fifth century. It is a history, a listing of facts and information but presented with genius. The authors lay out their information in generally chronological order, but in separate chapters cover the political, scientific, philosophical, religious, gadgetry, art and ethnic histories of that period. They tell all about the advances and withdrawals throughout the Mediterranean during those centuries.

The particular chapters often concentrate on one to three particular individuals and the overall story, and surrounding history, is told through those individuals trials and tribulations. The main or dominant characters are the Ptolemaics and their Hellenistic kingdom based in Egypt. Yet much concentration is put upon Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and their intellectual progeny; in philosophy, medicine, arts and religion. We are introduced to the Romans, Caesar, Anthony and their relationship to Cleopatra, etc. We learn about the Alexandrian Jews, the evolution of Catholicism, and their overcoming paganism, or did they?

This is a history of a time most people do not often learn about, from 300 B.C. to 400 A.C. What happened and how it shaped who we are and what we now have. Every tale is told interestingly. I thought I knew about the Great Alexandrian Library, but in fact my knowledge was all wrong. The library came and went with very little historic trace. This book is well thought out, well presented and well read by Simon Vance. What more can be asked for?

Amazing history illuminated

In clear and concise prose, the authors lay out the incredible story of the city of Alexandria. Begun by Alexander the Great and Ptolemy the First, this city was a wellspring of learning and culture, and the birthplace or domicile of many great scientists and learned men; Euclid among many others… The influence of Egypt, the Roman empire and finally the Arab Muslim world is clearly traced. Intriguing and intricate stories covering more than 1000 years seem all to have ties to Alexandria; including Cleopatra, Caesars and Christians. Descriptions and astonishing stories of the great library of Alexandria are fully revealed. Wonderful history, engagingly told.

A Lively Telling of the Story of the Cradle of Western Learning

Everyone who has ever graduated from a Western university has encountered tales of Alexandria, of it’s fabled lighthouse as one-off the seven wonders of the ancient world, and of the incomprehensible loss of the knowledge contained in its greatest jewel, the library. Every English major has at some point encountered Shakespeare’s “Anthony and Cleopatra.” But most of us know little more. We are unaware of the role the city played in the development of science, mathematics, astronomy, geography, cartography, philosophy, medicine, and every disciple studied to this day; the rise of the West as the world’s dominant cultural and political power; the development of Christianity upon a Neoplatonic framework and its rise to preeminence in the West above all other religions. In all these things Alexandria played a pivotal role. All because Alexander the Great sought a deep harbor from which to ship the vast wealth of Egypt and a city in which to proclaim himself god-emperor of the world.

“The Rise and Fall of Alexandria: Birthplace of the Modern World” by documentarians Justin Pollard and Howard Reid organizes all of the major events of the history of that great city which we are all familiar with, plus so many more we aren’t, into an orderly timeline and fleshes them out in a comprehensive and comprehensible manner. Told in documentary style in the form of a lively narrative filled with interesting characters and ably performed by Simon Vance, “The Rise and Fall of Alexandria” breathes life into that nearly forgotten nursery of the Western mind that has since slipped beneath the Mediterranean Sea and the sands of the Sahara well as the sands of time.

Unbelievably Epic

This is the kind of history that changes my whole world view. It is very nicely written and performed. Each character and moment in this epic history comes alive, in turn, and is subsequently buried by the tragedies that ensure.

Brilliant

I'd read a little bit about Alexandria (mostly in Stacy Schiff's book on Cleopatra), but I never dreamed its history was so intimately connected with such vast stretches of the intellectual, political, and religious history of the ancient world. Pollard and Reid spin a fascinating yarn that unites Alexander the Great, the Septuagint, maps of the world, clocks and odometers, Cleopatra, the steam engine, animatronics, and the brutal killing of Hypatia in a single overarching narrative. And when I mention those items of particular interest (to me), I'm only scratching the surface. A brilliant history with an unusual approach, and (as usual) impeccable narration from Simon Vance.

Touching on so many facts

I love history, and the ancients have always fascinated me, for with out them who would we be. The loss of the library of Alexandria is something that to this day breaks my heart. What wonders could have been transcribed. But this book has many little nuances about the different classes of citizens that inhabited the city over the ages enlightening and enjoyable.