Historical setting
the city of alexandria enjoyed many advantages,
and not the least envi-able of these was long-lasthing peace with the rest of the world
During the reign of the Ptolemies
which lasted for almost 300 years
the city
though on occasion beset with internal power struggles
remained free from external strifen.
this was ended by a short period of conflict when egypt became a part of the Roman Empire
after which the pax Romana settled over the land.
lt is no wonder that Alexandria became a haven for scholars and that for well over a half millenium so much of ancient scholastic attanment emanated from that city.
Almost every mathematician of antiquity to be discussed in this chapter was either a professor or a student at the University of Alexandria.
the closing period of ancient times was dominated by Rome. in 212 B.C.
syracuse yielded to a Roman siege. in 146 B.C.
Carthage fell before the power of imperial Rome
and in the same year
the last of the Greek cities , corinth ,