After conquering Egypt in 332 B.C.E., Alexander of Macedon  founded the city of Alexandria as a center of learning and a fusion of Egyptian and Hellenic culture.  It became the nation's ruling city, even after Egypt ceased to be an independent country. The Library was the epitome of learning in the ancient world; it is said that any ship docking in Alexandria's ports had all of its books and maps confiscated until they could be copied by the institute's scribes.  The Library was burned by Christians during the 300's C.E., and again by the Muslims during the late 600's C.E.  All that now exists are a couple of its basement storage rooms and the memory of what could be termed as the greatest collection of knowledge in human history.
