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I found [1] "The Rise and Fall of Alexandria: Birthplace of the Modern Mind" to be an incredible source of inspiration. Oh, what it must have been like to be pr

I found [1] "The Rise and Fall of Alexandria: Birthplace of the Modern Mind" to be an incredible source of inspiration. Oh, what it must have been like to be privately tutored by Aristotle. What surprised me the most about the article is the fact that it doesn't mention his best friend and most trusted companion -- Ptolemy. It was Ptolemy that would oversee the founding of the Great city of Alexandria. It was Ptolemy that would rewrite the history of the Pharos (or was it Ptolemy II?) and begin the Ptolemaic dynasty that lasted 275 years. Well done Ptolemy. By the way, both Ptolemy and Alexander were privately tutored by Aristotle. Well, Alexander definitely was, but maybe Ptolemy was just taught at the school of Aristotle [2]. Either way, they were both incredibly educated, which was my main source of inspiration. How I long for the intellectual mastery that they are said to have achieved so early in life. [1] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/400064.The_Rise_and_Fall_of_Alexandria https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/400064.The_Rise_and_Fall... [2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great#Education https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great#Educatio...

vondur 7y ago
I think the "golden age" of Alexandria occurred during Ptolemy II's reign.
dgjrhgi 7y ago
In a campaign at Sangala in Punjab, the Indian attack was so ferocious it completely destroyed the Greek cavalry, forcing Alexander to attack on foot. In the next battle, against the Malavs of Multan, he was felled by an Indian warrior whose arrow pierced the Macedonian’s breastplate and ribs. Says Military History magazine: “Although there was more fighting, Alexander’s wound put an end to any more personal exploits. Lung tissue never fully recovers, and the thick scarring in its place made every breath cut like a knife.”

vondur 7y ago

I think the "golden age" of Alexandria occurred during Ptolemy II's reign.

dgjrhgi 7y ago

In a campaign at Sangala in Punjab, the Indian attack was so ferocious it completely destroyed the Greek cavalry, forcing Alexander to attack on foot. In the next battle, against the Malavs of Multan, he was felled by an Indian warrior whose arrow pierced the Macedonian’s breastplate and ribs. Says Military History magazine: “Although there was more fighting, Alexander’s wound put an end to any more personal exploits. Lung tissue never fully recovers, and the thick scarring in its place made every breath cut like a knife.”