Greco-Roman Antiquities Of course, the Alexandria Library was at the center of the Greco-Roman world, hosting both scientist and philosophers. Here, Archemedes invented his pump still in use today and known as Archemedes’s screw. Euclid wrote “Elements” (the base of Euclidean geometry) and “ Optics” (a treatise of geometrical optics). They were not alone and many famous scholars worked to, for example, isolate the function of the heart, calculate the circumference of the earth and even develop the concept of the leap year. In fact, the loss of the library in ancient times basically resulted in the loss of the combined knowledge of the ancient world. A white marble bust of Xenfon, which bears his name in Greek and dating from the Greek Period. Dimensions: H. 59 cm A gold wedding Ring discovered at Abu Kir and dating to the Byzantine Period. Within the Greco-Roman section of the library we find many statues of the most important Greek philosophers, orators, writers and historians, together with other artifacts of the period. Here, there is a glass cabinet which displays a collection of Golden Jewelry, rings and coins discovered at Abu Kir (1999-2000), some of which date back to the Greek Period. Two masks with the eyes painted black. Remains of the head bands can be seen on the forehead. These are funerary painted masks dating back to the Roman period. Painted masks were a part of Roman funerary customs. These masks were widespread in Egypt from the first Century until the fourth Century. They were inserted inside the sarcophagi between the wrapping of mummies, over the face. Terra cotta cinerary urn :(Hadra Hydrae) were used to keep the ashes of deceased. Terracotta cinerary urns (Hadra Hydrae) were used to keep the ashes of deceased.They are named after the place where they were originally discovered in a region called “El Hadra” at the southern boundaries of the ancient city. They date back to the fourth century AD. The oldest of these Hydrae had a white background and this was also found in Athens, Rhodes and Cyprus where other Ptolemaic monuments came to light. Hydrae were manufactured in Alexandria and were usually decorated with geometric and floral designs, theatrical masks, mythological scenes and representations of deities in relief. Some of those vases were inscribed with the name, date of death and title of the deceased. The lid of a sarcophagus, which depicts a child lying down on his left side, putting his left hand under his head and wearing a dress with folds in high relief. This piece dates to the Roman Period. My thanks must go to my dear friend, Neri, for all of her research and help in writing the pages about Alexandria.This article about The Antiquities Museum At The Alexandria Library was initially published by Neri on the Tour Egypt site.Without her help and knowledge these pages would probably not have materialized. She has a wonderful website of her own, Egyptian Home, which I encourage you to visit at: http://www.geocities.com/egyptianhome/ All content on this page unless otherwise specified © Diane Day 2001-2006