ABSTRACT
Although the social and intellectual climate of Alexandria has already been described, it is necessary to remind the reader that it was primarily a port, well-situated with reference to its twofold function – commerce by sea on account of its excellent harbours, and commerce by land via the River Nile – it was also the seat of the Egyptian church, and a universally admired centre of learning. The Mouseion, the Library, the pagan temples, and the medical schools catered to the needs of its diverse population. There were circles of theologians, philosophers and mathematicians, who reflected on metaphysics, debated pagan religious literature, studied astrology and magic, and produced books on divination and astronomy. Fortune-tellers mingled with Christians, Christians with pagans. Lying at the crossroads of East and West, Alexandria was fertile ground for the dissemination of all kinds of knowledge. Webs of economic, intellectual and religious relationships were created among its inhabitants.
