Post by bjorn on Sept 11, 2009 15:42:28 GMT
I note that Wikipedia has an article on this at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_burning
Some nuggets:
Repeated destruction of Alexandria libraries
The library of the Serapeum in Alexandria was trashed, burned and looted, 392, at the decree of Theophilus of Alexandria, who was ordered so by Theodosius I. Around the same time, Hypatia was murdered. One of the largest destructions of books occurred at the Library of Alexandria, traditionally held to be in 640; however, the precise years are unknown as are whether the fires were intentional or accidental.
The main article is better, though.
All non-christian books (by Theodosius II)
In 448, Theodosius II ordered all non-Christian books to be burned
This old canard is commented upon by a certain Hannam at www.tektonics.org/af/crimeline.htm:
The reverse of the truth. The CTh shows Theodosius passing a law to set up a brand new school of pagan learning in Constantinople in 425AD. This is to be state financed and to have 10 literature professors in both Latin and Greek, 3 Latin rhetors, five Greek rhetors, 3 law professors and a philosopher. As all the works in these subjects were exclusively pagan we see what nonsense this allegation is. And the law mentions Christianity and theology not once.
As it is both hard and heretical to burn wikipedia, it may be better for someone to edit the article instead.
Some nuggets:
Repeated destruction of Alexandria libraries
The library of the Serapeum in Alexandria was trashed, burned and looted, 392, at the decree of Theophilus of Alexandria, who was ordered so by Theodosius I. Around the same time, Hypatia was murdered. One of the largest destructions of books occurred at the Library of Alexandria, traditionally held to be in 640; however, the precise years are unknown as are whether the fires were intentional or accidental.
The main article is better, though.
All non-christian books (by Theodosius II)
In 448, Theodosius II ordered all non-Christian books to be burned
This old canard is commented upon by a certain Hannam at www.tektonics.org/af/crimeline.htm:
The reverse of the truth. The CTh shows Theodosius passing a law to set up a brand new school of pagan learning in Constantinople in 425AD. This is to be state financed and to have 10 literature professors in both Latin and Greek, 3 Latin rhetors, five Greek rhetors, 3 law professors and a philosopher. As all the works in these subjects were exclusively pagan we see what nonsense this allegation is. And the law mentions Christianity and theology not once.
As it is both hard and heretical to burn wikipedia, it may be better for someone to edit the article instead.
