How much was lost when the Library of Alexandria burned?

Summary by Krater

This video examines the history, contents, and destruction of the Library of Alexandria, concluding that while part of the collection was likely destroyed over time through fires and decay, its loss represents the broader decline of classical culture rather than a single civilization-ending catastrophe.

From the video

Answers: What really happened to the Library of Alexandria and how significant was its loss?

• Library of Alexandria history
• Destruction of ancient libraries
• Ptolemaic dynasty scholarship
• Julius Caesar burning of Alexandria
• Serapeum branch library

What it concludes

• The legendary story of Caliph Omar burning the books to heat bathhouses never actually happened.
• The destruction of the Library of Alexandria set civilization back by centuries is a wild exaggeration.
• The loss of the Library of Alexandria was symptomatic of the more general decline of classical culture.