The cosmopolitan, culturally rich, and wealthy city of Alexandria, in Egypt, was founded at the end of the 4th century B.C. Its ruling dynasty at the time and until the Roman Emperor Augustus defeated its queen (Cleopatra) is called the Ptolemaic dynasty. Note that the center at Alexandria, founded in Egypt, by Macedonian Greeks, with a thriving Jewish community, and conquered later by Romans, was the greatest Mediterranean cosmopolitan area in its heyday. The first Ptolemies created the learning center in the city that was composed of a Serapeum temple, museion (museum) and a library. Although we refer to this learning center as the Library of Alexandria or the Library at Alexandria, it was more than just a library. Students came from all over the Mediterranean world to learn and it produced several of the ancient world's most renowned scholars.
Here are some of the major scholars associated with the Library of Alexandria.
I'm including a limited approximation of how I pronounce the names, but without using the very useful symbols found in phonetics. It is not the right way to pronounce these names, but some may find it useful, even with this disclaimer.
1. Euclid
Clipart.com
Euclid (c. 325-265 B.C.) was one of the most important mathematicians ever. His Elements is a treatise on geometry that uses the logical steps of axioms and theorems to form proofs in plane geometry. People still teach Euclidean geometry.
One possible pronunciation of the name Euclid is Yoo'-clid.
2. Ptolemy
CC Flickr User Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the BPL
This Ptolemy was not one of the rulers of ancient Egypt during the Roman era, but an important scholar at the Library of Alexandria. Claudius Ptolemy (A.D. c. 90-168) wrote an astronomical treatise known as the Almagest, a geographical treatise known simply as Geographia, a 4-book work on astrology known for the number of books as Tetrabiblios, and other works on assorted topics.
One possible pronunciation for the name Ptolemy is Tah'-leh-me.
3. Hypatia
PD Courtesy of Wikipedia
Hypatia (A.D. 355 or 370 - 415/416), the daughter of Theon, a teacher of mathematics at the Museum of Alexandria, was the last great Alexandrian mathematician and philosopher who wrote a commentary on geometry and taught Neo-platonism to her students. She was brutally murdered by zealous Christians.
One possible pronunciation for the name Hypatia is: Hie-pay'-shuh.
4. Eratosthenes
Public Domain. Courtesy of Wikipedia.
Eratosthenes (c. 276-194 B.C.) is known for his mathematical calculations and geography. The third librarian at the famous Alexandrian library, he studied under the Stoic philosopher Zeno, Ariston, Lysanias, and the poet-philosopher Callimachus.
One possible pronunciation for the name Eratosthenes is Eh-ruh-tos'-thin-nees.
