Who was in the city

People

The scholars, poets, teachers and writers of ancient Alexandria, in the order of their years in the city. Each record gives the life, the years in Alexandria, the roles, the works of theirs on our shelves, the moments they belong to and where the show speaks of them.

Membership of the Library or the Mouseion is attested for very few of them. Where a source places someone at the Library or under royal patronage, the record says so and names the source; for everyone else it says only that they worked in Alexandria. No portrait of any of these people survives, so none is drawn: each has an engraved emblem instead, an object attested for their work, and the emblems are our devices.

  • Homer

    8th century BCE

    ConjecturedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Sappho

    c. 630–570 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Aeschylus

    c. 525–456 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Pindar

    c. 518–438 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Sophocles

    c. 497–406 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Euripides

    c. 480–406 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Hippocrates of Cos

    c. 460–370 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Aristotle

    384–322 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Alexander the Great

    356–323 BCE · in Alexandria 331 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Deinocrates of Rhodes

    fl. 331 BCE · in Alexandria 331 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Timon of Phlius

    c. 320–230 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Ptolemy I Soter

    c. 367–282 BCE · in Alexandria c. 311–283 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Aristarchus of Samos

    c. 310–230 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Erasistratus of Ceos

    c. 304–250 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Euclid

    fl. c. 300 BCE · in Alexandria c. 300 BCE

    Known · ProbableA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Hecataeus of Abdera

    fl. c. 300 BCE · in Alexandria c. 300 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Herophilus of Chalcedon

    c. 330–260 BCE · in Alexandria c. 300–260 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Strato of Lampsacus

    c. 335–269 BCE · in Alexandria c. 300–287 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Demetrius of Phalerum

    c. 350–280 BCE · in Alexandria c. 297–283 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Archimedes of Syracuse

    c. 287–212 BCE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Alexander Aetolus

    fl. c. 285 BCE · in Alexandria c. 285–276 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Lycophron of Chalcis

    fl. c. 285 BCE · in Alexandria c. 285–270 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Manetho of Sebennytos

    fl. c. 280 BCE · in Alexandria c. 285–260 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Posidippus of Pella

    c. 310–240 BCE · in Alexandria c. 285–250 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Ptolemy II Philadelphus

    308–246 BCE · in Alexandria 285–246 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Sostratus of Cnidus

    fl. c. 285 BCE · in Alexandria c. 285 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Zenodotus of Ephesus

    c. 330–260 BCE · in Alexandria c. 285–260 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Callimachus of Cyrene

    c. 305–240 BCE · in Alexandria c. 280–240 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Ctesibius

    fl. c. 270 BCE · in Alexandria c. 280–260 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Theocritus

    fl. c. 270 BCE · in Alexandria c. 275–270 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Apollonius of Rhodes

    c. 295–215 BCE · in Alexandria c. 270–245 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Conon of Samos

    fl. c. 245 BCE · in Alexandria c. 250–240 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Ptolemy III Euergetes

    c. 284–222 BCE · in Alexandria 246–222 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Eratosthenes of Cyrene

    c. 276–194 BCE · in Alexandria c. 245–194 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Hermippus of Smyrna

    fl. c. 230 BCE · in Alexandria c. 230–210 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Apollonius of Perga

    c. 240–190 BCE · in Alexandria c. 220 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Aristophanes of Byzantium

    c. 257–180 BCE · in Alexandria c. 220–180 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Aristarchus of Samothrace

    c. 216–144 BCE · in Alexandria c. 200–145 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • The author of the Letter of Aristeas

    2nd century BCE · in Alexandria 2nd century BCE

    Known · ProbableWorked in Alexandria.
  • Apollonius the Eidographer

    fl. 2nd century BCE · in Alexandria c. 190–175 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Aristobulus of Alexandria

    fl. c. 170 BCE · in Alexandria c. 170 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Dionysius Thrax

    c. 170–90 BCE · in Alexandria c. 170–145 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Cydas "of the spearmen"

    fl. c. 145 BCE · in Alexandria c. 145 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II (Physcon)

    c. 182–116 BCE · in Alexandria 145–116 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Apollonius of Citium

    fl. c. 90–60 BCE · in Alexandria c. 90–80 BCE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Didymus Chalcenterus

    c. 63 BCE–10 CE · in Alexandria c. 63 BCE–10 CE

    Known · AttestedA source places them at the Library or under royal patronage.
  • Cleopatra VII

    69–30 BCE · in Alexandria 51–30 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Gaius Julius Caesar

    100–44 BCE · in Alexandria 48–47 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Mark Antony

    83–30 BCE · in Alexandria 41–30 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Aristonicus of Alexandria

    fl. c. 30 BCE · in Alexandria c. 30 BCE–10 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Augustus (Octavian)

    63 BCE–14 CE · in Alexandria 30 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Tryphon of Alexandria

    fl. c. 30 BCE · in Alexandria c. 30 BCE–10 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Strabo of Amaseia

    c. 64 BCE–24 CE · in Alexandria c. 25–20 BCE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Philo of Alexandria

    c. 20 BCE–50 CE · in Alexandria c. 20 BCE–50 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Claudius

    10 BCE–54 CE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Hermes Trismegistus

    1st–3rd century CE

    Legend · Told storyNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Maria the Jewess

    1st–3rd century CE

    Known · ProbableNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Pseudo-Democritus

    1st century CE

    Known · ProbableNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Chaeremon of Alexandria

    fl. c. 50 CE · in Alexandria c. 40–60 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Domitian

    51–96 CE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Tiberius Claudius Balbillus

    1st century CE · in Alexandria 55–59 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Hero of Alexandria

    fl. c. 62 CE · in Alexandria c. 62 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Epiphanes, son of Carpocrates

    2nd century CE · in Alexandria 2nd century CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Lucius Julius Vestinus

    2nd century CE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Basilides

    fl. c. 120–140 CE · in Alexandria 117–138 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Valentinus

    c. 100–160 CE · in Alexandria c. 120–136 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Claudius Ptolemy

    c. 100–170 CE · in Alexandria 127–141 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Carpocrates

    fl. c. 130 CE · in Alexandria c. 130 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Hadrian

    76–138 CE · in Alexandria 130 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Isidore, son of Basilides

    fl. c. 130–160 CE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Galen of Pergamon

    c. 129–216 CE · in Alexandria c. 152–157 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Clement of Alexandria

    c. 150–215 CE · in Alexandria c. 180–202 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Pantaenus

    d. c. 200 CE · in Alexandria c. 180–200 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Origen

    c. 185–253 CE · in Alexandria c. 203–231 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Aurelian

    c. 214–275 CE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Caracalla

    188–217 CE · in Alexandria 215 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Ammonius Saccas

    c. 175–242 CE · in Alexandria c. 232–242 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Plotinus

    c. 205–270 CE · in Alexandria 232–243 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Diophantus of Alexandria

    fl. c. 250 CE · in Alexandria c. 250 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Diocletian

    c. 244–311 CE · in Alexandria 298 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Arius

    c. 256–336 CE · in Alexandria c. 300–325 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Zosimos of Panopolis

    fl. c. 300 CE · in Alexandria c. 300 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Pappus of Alexandria

    fl. c. 320 CE · in Alexandria c. 320 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Athanasius of Alexandria

    c. 296–373 CE · in Alexandria 328–373 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Didymus the Blind

    c. 313–398 CE · in Alexandria c. 330–398 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Theodosius I

    347–395 CE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Hypatia

    c. 355–415 CE · in Alexandria c. 355–415 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Theon of Alexandria

    c. 335–405 CE · in Alexandria c. 360–380 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Theophilus of Alexandria

    fl. 385–412 CE · in Alexandria 385–412 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Olympius

    fl. 391 CE · in Alexandria 391 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Synesius of Cyrene

    c. 373–414 CE · in Alexandria c. 393–395 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Cyril of Alexandria

    c. 376–444 CE · in Alexandria 412–444 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Orestes

    fl. 412–415 CE · in Alexandria 412–415 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Hierocles of Alexandria

    fl. c. 430 CE · in Alexandria c. 420–450 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Proclus

    412–485 CE · in Alexandria c. 425–430 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Hermias of Alexandria

    c. 410–450 CE · in Alexandria c. 440–450 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Ammonius, son of Hermias

    c. 440–520 CE · in Alexandria c. 470–520 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Horapollo

    late 5th century CE · in Alexandria c. 470–490 CE

    Known · ProbableWorked in Alexandria.
  • John Philoponus

    c. 490–570 CE · in Alexandria c. 510–570 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • Olympiodorus the Younger

    c. 500–570 CE · in Alexandria c. 525–565 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • 'Umar ibn al-Khattab

    c. 584–644 CE

    Known · AttestedNot attested in Alexandria.
  • Stephanus of Alexandria

    c. 580–640 CE · in Alexandria c. 590–615 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.
  • 'Amr ibn al-'As

    c. 573–664 CE · in Alexandria 641–642 CE

    Known · AttestedWorked in Alexandria.