14/08/2025
During the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus in the 3rd century BCE, the Library of Alexandria emerged as a beacon of intellectual ambition. Determined to make it the most comprehensive repository of human knowledge, Ptolemy II issued a decree that all ships docking in Alexandria were required to surrender any written materials they carried. These texts were swiftly copied by scribes, with the originals retained in the library and the duplicates returned to their owners.
This policy reflected the Ptolemaic dynasty’s deep commitment to scholarship and cultural preservation. The Library of Alexandria, part of the larger Mouseion complex, housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls from across the Mediterranean and beyond. By systematically acquiring texts through trade, conquest, and this unique maritime decree, the library became a hub for scholars, scientists, and philosophers.
Though the library eventually succumbed to destruction through a series of fires and conflicts, its legacy endures. The practice of copying and archiving texts laid the groundwork for future institutions of learning and inspired modern concepts of intellectual property and public access to knowledge. Ptolemy II’s decree remains a powerful symbol of the value placed on learning in ancient civilizations.
