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)

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.

A wonderfull walk

Highly recommend to anyone interested in history, any history. I throw my hat in with the other reviewers, this book is how history should be written. It ties facts with what you know so that you find yourself nodding and wondering why you had not figured that one out. They weave their narrative with events, people and places so well that you feel you know where they are taking you but lighting up sights you have never seen. For ancient history buffs it is a must read.

Nothing helps a good book like a good narrator. Simon Vance has been and continues to be at the top of this profession. With 152 narrations on audible I have a lot of listening to do.

Birthplace Of Knowledge

Some might feel that Alexandria was not the start of the modern thinking mind. I differ on that feeling. This book points out the reasons for that sentiment. This was the place where all the original thinkers came from. Yes, Greece started it, but Alexandria completes it. This book is excellent and covers everything a person would want to know about ancient Alexandria and more. This book also serves as a good lead-in to any history of the Roman Empire as well. The narration is good. The book never lags in its coverage of this magnificent city and all the treasures it holds for the listener. I say enjoy. Worth the listen!

A rare topic

This is a gratifying read on a fascinating place and time. I had always wondered about the great library in Alexandria and always greatly mourned its demise. The great library's destruction is one of mankind's greatest losses! This read actually covers quite a bit on the time period putting context on this amazing city's rise and fall. An enriching read. Recommended.

What a sad and tragic tale.

The story of Alexandria is far larger and richer than I had imagined. This book could have gone on for 22 hours and still not felt too long or too detailed. Well told, complete with the back stories and sidebars, the personalities and history.

It is interesting to hear how even in 177AD was talking about how low brow (intellectually) Christianity was. How it seemed to seek out those least disposed to reasoning, something we see today with the Republican party and the religious "Right".

If we could only learn from history, maybe we wouldn't have to destroy our country like the Romans and Christians destroyed Alexandria.

Very well written

Keeps the listener entertained.Fast paced knowledge that'll keep you in front of the learning curve!

Enjoyable if you like history.

An interesting well written and read piece on Egypt and the region, however it is not a significant work, such as Gibbons Decline and Fall, it is more a missing addendum to that work. What it portrays is that the Alexandrian effect whilst important was time based over a relatively short span, vis a vis the Roman Empire which left a lasting mark on our civilization.

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

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.