The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-15

his prothcrs with bloodthirsty ferocity and
AZ the same time gave the philosophers Of
the city extraordinary encouragement; here
the third Ptolemy restored the worship OF
the gods OF ancient Egypt, and here lived
the men who planned the famous Pharos
lighthouse and the celebrated libraries.
Julius Caesar destroyed a great portion OF
Alexandria accidentally. Being compelled
by the tactics Of his enemies 10 burn
THE EGYPTIAN FLEET
In the harbor the flames caught the city,
spread rapidly, and devoured the palaces
OF the Ptolemies and library containing
100000 volumes. A few years after this
disaster Clcopatra's professions frightened
the Alexandrian thoroughfares by their
splendor. Here the tawny Queen ruled
her people with capricious power, made
love to Antony, sailed about in her bur-
nished galleys, and learned the efficacy OF
asp-bites.
Alexandria suffered terribly from the
unbounded brutalities Of the Roman En-
peror Caracalla. In A. ID. 213 he ranged
about his provinces like wild beast, de-
stroying buildings, capriciously erecting
others, and numbering men and women
for passing whim. He came to Alexan-
dria, and there, for no apparent reason,
issued general orders for a massacre OF the
Egyptians. He sat on throne in the tenn
pie OF Scraps, whence he directed the
slaughter OF many thousand citizens. He
cared nothing for the sacredness OF any in
dividual. He wanted to amuse himself by
INDIsCRraINATE SLAUGHTER.
He told the Senate aftcrward that he con-
si6pred all Alaxapdr;auo ol,lo HE o,,ovn;oe
those who we're murdered as well as those
who were fortunate enough to escape. The
streets OF Alexandria ran with blood, and
the tyrant in the temple OF Scraps was de-
lighted but not stated in his fury. lie de-
priyed the Alexandrians Of their spectacles
and public feasts; he separated the citizens
from each other by building walls. "Thus,"
says Dion, "was treated the unhappy Alex
andria by the savage beast OF Ansonia,"
and this epithet he actually felt proud Of
Alexandria suffered from the violent pre-
iudices Of her own inhabitants as well as
from the caprices Of men like Caracalla.
The most trifing occasion, a transient
scarcity OF flesh or lentils, the neglect OF an
accustomed salutation, q mistake OF prece-
depcy in the public baths, religious dis
pute (such, for instance, as the sacrilegious
murder OF divine cat) were at any time
sufficient TO kindlc scditiOn among the
who eighteen hundred years
ago, according to the historian, "united
the vanity and Inconsistency OF the Greeks
with the superstition and obstinacy OF the
Early in the third century,
A. d., after the captivity Of Valerian and
the
RIGOR OF THE ROMAN RULE
had become somewhat relaxed, the Alex
started a civil war among them
selves which lasted almost without inter-
mission for more than twelve years. The
city became divided into hostile quarters,
the principal buildings were seized as cita-
dels, much OF Alexandria was destroyed by
the factionists, and the streets were pol
luted with blood. This calamitOus civil
war is said to have originated in dispute
between townsman and soldier about the
price OF pair Of shoes. a dreadful famine
followed this war and almost annihilated
the population OF the miserable city. In the
reign OF Diocletian a. ID. 29G) the Romans
besieged Alexandria and destroyed the
lQueducts which conveyed the water from
the Nile TO the inhabitants. This siege
lasted eight months, and its surrender was
by massacre OF the starving citi-
zens, many thousands OF whom were put TO
the edge OF the sword. When
THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION
began to spread throughout the Roman
empire many martyrs to the new faith laid
down their lives in Alexandria; and when
hat religion had become power, and the
Patriarch had become the chief magistrate,
it was distracted continually by brawls,
riots, and murders-al "for the love Of
God" Rival patriarchs and bishops asSas-
;inated each other, and their followers pur-
sued similar lawless course. In the be-
ginning OF the fifth century the infuriated
inhabitants ran wildly through the streets
md massacred the Jews; and the learned
and accomplished Hypatia, one day during
Lent, was torn from her chariot, stripped
naked, and butchered by a mob OF brutal
fanatics instigated by Bishop Cyril.
The Mohammedans were the next great
,courge Of the Aleyandrians. In G3S the
saracenic hordes were flushed with victory
and thirsting for territory and victims.
Amrou, acting on behalf OF the Caliph
Omar, marched upon Alexandria, accom-
panied by powerful and enthusiastic body
Of Arab soldiers. In every attack the
sword and banner Of Amrou glittered in
the van of the Moslem attack. The Siege
lasted for fourteen months. The besiegers
lost no fewer than $4,000 men beneath the
walls. and the AleXandrian losses were
heavy. Il have TAKEN"
wrote.Amrou to his Caliph, "the great city
Of the West. 1t is impossible for me to
the
VARIETY OF IT'S RICHES
and beauty, and / shall content myself by
observing that it contains 1000 palaces,
4. 600 baths, 400 theatres or places OF amuSe-
lnent, 1900 shops for the sale OF vegetable
food. and 10000 tributary jews" The Ro-
mans made two attempts, within four years,
10 get back Alexandria, but Amrou re-
pulsed them; and he vowed that II he had
10 drive the infdels into the sea third
time he would render Alexandria as
accessible on every side as the house
Of courtesqn. He dismantled parts
of the walls and towers, but spared
the people, and a mosque was erect
ed on the spot where he had stayed
the fury of his troops. The most lament
able calamity which befell Alexandra du-
ring her occupation by the Caliph's vlceSe-
rent was the barbaric destruction OF her
last remaining library, the greatest then IN
the world. Philoponus, Christian, whose
used to amuse Amrou in his
leisure hours, asked for the library as gift.
Amrou was willing, but referred the mat
ter to the bigoted Caliph, who ordered the
library to be destroyed, on the cOmprehen-
siye ground that I" il these writings OF the
Greeks agree with the Book OF God they
are useless and need not be preserved; II
they disagree they are pernlcious, ana
ought to be destroyed" This
DOOMED THE LIBRARY.
It's hooks and manuscripts were given by
Amrou to the flames, and it is said that it
took the 1000 public baths Of the city six
before they could consume them all
in their furnaces. Omar's fiat struck a
= IN, NOT only tn the AleXandrians, but to