Alexandria, conspired to bring Egypt out from its concealment and

seclusion, and to open it in some measure to the intercourse, as well as

to bring it more fully under the observation, of the rest of mankind.

Ptolemy, in fact, made it a special object of his policy to accomplish

these ends. He invited Greek scholars, philosophers, poets, and artists,

in great numbers, to come to Alexandria, and to make his capital their

abode. He collected an immense library, which subsequently, under the

name of the Alexandrian library, became one of the most celebrated

collections of books and manuscripts that was ever made. We shall have

occasion to refer more particularly to this library in the next chapter.

Besides prosecuting these splendid schemes for the aggrandizement of

Egypt, King Ptolemy was engaged, during almost the whole period of his

reign, in waging incessant wars with the surrounding nations. He engaged

in these wars, in part, for the purpose of extending the boundaries of

his empire, and in part for self-defense against the aggressions and