The Rise and Fall of Alexandria by Justin Pollard

The Rise and Fall of Alexandria by Justin Pollard

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. Compulsively readable and sparkling with fresh insights into science, philosophy, culture, and invention, this is an irresistible, eye-opening delight.

Justin Pollard read Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge. For the last ten years has worked as a historical writer and consultant in film and television. His credits include the feature films Elizabeth and The Four Feathers as well as over twenty-five documentary series such as Channel Four`s popular archaeology programme Time Team. He is the author of Seven Ages of Britain for which he also produced a Channel Four series.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780670037971
ISBN 10	0670037974
Title	The Rise and Fall of Alexandria
Author	Justin Pollard
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Viking Books
Year published	2006-11-01
Number of pages	329
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.