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Foundation of the Mouseion and the
Library
The first Ptolemaic kings were determined to establish Egypt as the preeminent kingdom of
their time. Alexandria became the center for science, arts, literature and philosophy. It
was the policy of the Ptolemies to bring writers, poets, artists, and scientists to
Alexandria from all over the ancient world to enrich the two unprecedented institutions:
the “Mouseion”
and the “Library”.
The Mouseion, or shrine for the Muses (Museum in Latin) was the first scientific institute
and the greatest university in ancient times. The Library was the first universal
library. |
