Who Destroyed The Library of Alexandria? | The Rest is History

Step back in time with renowned historians Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland as they embark on an enthralling journey to explore the enigmatic tale of the Library of Alexandria's destruction. Join them as they uncover the who, what, and why behind one of history's greatest losses. #LibraryOfAlexandria #DominicSandbrook #TomHolland

[@restishistorypod]

Our first attempt at a KZbin version of the podcast. Let us know your thoughts!

[@nikitameo8711]

Perfect! Love to see the banter!

[@Secretname951]

To me it’s largely irrelevant, I mostly listen to KZbin rather than watch. As long as they are still listenable I’m happy and it it makes other people happy and let’s you put out more podcasts then great! Maybe I’ll look at the screen occasionally but I’ll mostly be listening.

[@MansaHere]

Love this form! Please keep it up.

[@GoofyHistorians]

Great!

[@good_boy_13]

video >>> audio

[@besk1]

Great things about this format: - The overlay of pictures really adds depth to the discussion which we don't usually get with the audio only version (as illuminating and imagination stirring as that is!) - it feels as though Dom and Tom are in the same room, having a conversation, which I am sure they're not but perfectly suits their style - I hope the fact the video is there doesn't make them feel self conscious or affect the flow of discussion too much, because they are truly some of the best in the medium at this; knowing when it is their turn to speak and almost never talking over each other but flowing perfectly in sync. Thanks so much for bringing this to us!!

[@kristophergregory2689]

Been listening to the pod for a while, absolutely love it. It’s always crazy when you see people for the first time after hearing their voices for so long. You both look nothing like I was expecting you to! Your banter, wit and tone of voice always came across as someone younger for some reason. In hindsight it’s no surprise given you’re depth of knowledge and intelligence. Absolutely love the pod!

[@starbelly2000]

I was going to write a similar post, but I think yours will do just fine. Wholeheartedly agree!

[@tedtimmis8135]

These conversational overviews of history are AMAZING! Listening to the banter of two brilliant Englishmen as they tell their tales of history is really great. Thank you from Michigan!

[@maxcasteel2141]

I mostly listen to the podcast on Spotify because I'll listen on my way to work, but I really do enjoy what you guys do on youtube and getting to go back and refresh my memory with some nice visuals. Keep it up gents

[@barrylyons9296]

I had no idea that Dominic had a face. How wondeful? Perennial excellence. Thank you boys.

[@iandupont3244]

Just watching this after listening for over 2 years on the podcast. And for some reason I had attached the voices and faces the other way around. This is extremely disconcerting :), like a learned Face-off.

[@LeandroCapstick]

Best podcast ever, glad to see more activity on KZbin.

[@gregharshman351]

Ive only recently learned about The Rest is History podcast and ive been spamming all the episodes before my vacation to Rome and Greece I am so excited for this trip! Listening to the history of these places with Tom and Dom has been fantastic!!! Happy I found this!

[@batcat66]

Yes more of this! It perfectly compliments the podcast , there are visuals and we get to see the lovely visages of our favorite historians!

[@MrJeremyWeeks]

Excellent idea! Although we sometimes see Tom on our screens in Canada, I don’t think we’ve been graced with Dominic’s presence.😊

[@ginaza9767]

Mark Felton's excellent channel has just under 2M subscribers. There's such a thirst for history on YT that the potential for this channel to grow is massive. Go big on more graphics and videos clips over narration is my humble advice.

[@h____hchump8941]

Ironic that they liked this comment but then subsequently stopped uploading to KZbin (which I only just noticed having simultaneously started listening to it elsewhere)

[@joelcurtis562]

Best podcast going. Keep the maps coming in the videos! Can never have too many maps.

[@PrincipledUncertainty]

I can imagine a teacher having to explain to their class what a library is. Much to Mother's equal pride and dismay, my family ate dinner with books open at the table. Now everyone is sneaking glances at their phone to see if they have received a virtual pat on the head from a stranger in Finland. My father left school at 14, which was expected for a working class lad in those days, and yet he is better read than almost every academic I know. Where this leads us I daren't imagine, but I doubt it's somewhere good.

[@Nicesugarrush]

Really like the podcast and the fascinating topics. Great fan of Dominic's sense of humor and calm professionalism.

[@JullianRoman]

Nice to meet you guys! 😃

[@MansaHere]

Love this podcast form of The Rest Is History! Keep it up please.

[@Ozgipsy]

Guys…this is a great format. Excellent.

[@janscott9151]

Very enjoyable. I like the one person at a time shot rather than having you both on screen at a time. I love the graphics inserts. Great effort. And of course the content was excellent.

[@cathyfourie3323]

Love the visuals and seeing your passion for history we could only hear.

[@Nato934]

I do hope you get read this… I have been bowled over by TRIH podcast… it’s my favourite. I’ve never really bothered that much about history but you guys explain it superbly, and can’t get enough- Thank you! It is my favourite listen and I think it’s brilliant you are doing a KZbin version!

[@kevinbutler94]

The visuals add so much to the story, please carry this on if possible

[@bone0101]

Please more of this. I love the insertion of graphics into the video and to SEE two men talking about these subjects.

[@moreliarodriguez4482]

I love it. Thanks so much for starting the YT channel.. Huge fan here.

[@MrLoz1993]

If there was Rest Is History merch i'd absolutely buy it. Absolute lads!

[@garyn3323]

A great format for youtube. Please keep the longer audio format going. I'm a recent convert to your podcasts and listen as I work on renovating our house. Up to podcast 104 so far, so few more to go. Still a lot of house to work on so keep them coming plz.

[@Dundien-ix4kd]

I think it is a great idea, i read Dominic’s book on Alexander the Great but this video cleared all my remaining questions

[@dollysprint8923]

This is great. The visuals were very well-chosen

[@stephenbulman6353]

What a great idea to have you now on KZbin. Looking forward to seeing more of this.

[@bewareofchild2462]

I find Gibbon's comment on thankfulness to what we do have very stoic and the comment "thank God I don't have to do any more reading" was hilarious. Thank you for your podcast I've just found it and well, thank you!

[@seebasschipman293]

Love the KZbin version. Just adding your faces makes a big difference, and I imagine it will help with the algorithm as well

[@DanHowardMtl]

I love that we get to see you now!

[@jasonwaite5056]

Really enjoyed this format. The pictures absolutely complement the podcast. More please!

[@thebasis1704]

We need more of this format!

[@winterdiana]

I love this! Always good to see your faces! I've been looking forward to an episode on the Library of Alexandria!

[@brainofthefrain]

I can see this format taking off! Definitely need more 😀

[@kevinreynolds8755]

Love the podcast been listening for about 2 years now. I have to admit I thought of history as a bit boring until I came across your podcast, now I'm disappointed you haven't given up your personal lives and gave us atleast 2 episodes a day! Keep up the great work 👍

[@Simzoid]

I have listened to this podcast religiously (Tom will be pleased to hear) since the very first episode came out. The option to watch and view, however, is genuinely a game changer. Wouldn’t prevent me from listening, but might be inclined to watch when chilling at home.

[@aarishshaheen3500]

Great to see you both!

[@TheMechanic626]

Dom's library looks fantastic.

[@Jacob-sb3su]

love this format. please keep doing it!

[@mencken8]

Always a good subject for a YT video, where the ultimate answer = “We’ll never know.”

[@oliverrelf6980]

Love the podcast since I discovered it about a year ago but I’ve always thought you could do a video version. Glad to see you’re trying this, keep it up!

[@dj9g10]

Great idea, i like the accompanying visuals. Really helps bring the stories to life

[@MikeAllo-j3s]

Love the podcasts and loved this KZbin version 👍🏻

[@pondopondo1497]

Great little vid, gents. Thanks

[@malgorzatajakubowska-chaab3613]

Great idea, I loved the podcast before and now even more

[@garymiller_85]

Really enjoyed this. Enigmatic Tom, not acknowledging the camera, whilst Dom the odd sly glance!

[@nicholasrusson8978]

This was a nice supplement to the "faceless" podcasts I'm slowly getting caught up on over on Spotify. As an occasional supplement to the main podcast, I think it's great.

[@martindacosta4755]

Love it. More and more please.

[@prawnenpointe2579]

This has left me intrigued just what happened to the Library of Alexandria? Where is the collection now?

[@andrewprice3170]

Love the format! Please keep the content going!

[@Sion67Productions]

Excellent! These could really compliment the full episodes, and maybe even pull in some new listeners once the clips win them over

[@fillythesurvivor873]

I like this format boys keep it up 👍🏾

[@richardmead4272]

You guys are addictive. First a great podcast, now YT videos. Fascinating!

[@rolfselas]

This is absolutely incredible

[@Airbuzz]

What a treat, it's so nice to see you! 👍

[@angelasalpistis2031]

Please add some more! Wonderful

[@adelegeras3532]

This is lovely but it means sitting down, and looking and paying attention! I shall continue to listen as I walk ….much more intimate! Bu5 nice to have it as a resource to come back to!

[@bebobebobeb]

The podcast is amazing and so is this

[@Calum_1940]

Well this is a treat. Nice addition to the podcast.

[@cherylbell1253]

That was terrific! 👏 More please!

[@davet8134]

Love this podcast. Fantastic chemistry and great elements of humour and impressions

[@chrisyoung3675]

Didn't realise the length of it so watched while washing up. Good format, useful images and good candour. It will be very useful for episodes on wars battles for deployment images and hierarchical structures. Perhaps on primary sources to be shown as well. Good idea keep up the excellent work

[@bamhogans]

Are the pictures as devoted to accuracy/objectivity as Tom and Dominic's prepared dialogue? Perhaps the most critical value of TRIH is this Objectivity, neutral view which acknowledges the unknown, the conflicts, and the possible faults in information. To maintain this, its important the media is given the same acknowledged critique. Love this though. And Love the show!

[@kevinjohnson2709]

This was tremendous! Hope you both do more of these!

[@brookemason4202]

I'm obsessed kings! 👑👑👑 Pls do more !!!

[@orfious]

More of this please 🙏 I love the podcast, but it's great to have some visual aids. It really helps to understand and retain the information. Some videos on the 100 years war would be amazing

[@GraceKugrena]

Love this… was hoping that you guys would post a youtube version of the podcast! Love you guys and an Uber fan of the rest is history! 🎉

[@yawnskidsberry3209]

I like the format !! Anything visual helps but the content is always top notch for

[@silviacudich6731]

You’re definitely my most favorite historians!!!

[@s.mohammadmirlohi9864]

It's nice to see you guys

[@marywoolley-nb7ct]

I hadn’t heard your podcast but I have really enjoyed this KZbin episode and I have subscribed immediately.

[@johnmartin4233]

Would love to see more like this!

[@martinbeaumont1135]

Excellent news, saw you guys live in Melbourne the other night and now a YT version .. huzzah

[@moseshamlett3887]

Jolly Good Sirs! Hoorah for Libraries!

[@karlfran0404]

This is great. I had no idea you did the KZbin although I’ve been listening to your podcast for ages. Keep going

[@WHITERAGS]

Yes more please!

[@COl-rn5th]

Great initiative having the youtube version! It could only be better if you were in Amsterdam or other wacky in loco recording location.

[@susanmackay66]

Love it! Keep it up. Absolutely love the podcast. Riveting.

[@NG-dc2pk]

This is certainly 10x better than a pictureless version

[@thebagelsproductions]

Good stuff, lads! Keep it coming

[@stevenquestionseverything4445]

Good work guys! Keep it up 👍

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Thank you for stating the truth on this topic!

[@Fantasized1]

You guys are the best. I learn so much from you, can't thank you enough for doing that all for free. Thinking about studying history at the university of Vienna, and you are a major influence for that. Besides that, you are funny as hell. And I get to learn some proper british english. Haha. Keep going!

[@leolovetoparty]

The title should read "Who *Didn't* Destroy The Library of Alexandria?" I guess it self destructed, right?

[@calmkate8]

interesting research and presentation, kudos!

[@JenniferBECKETT-py8vl]

Thankyou so much for this. I love it

[@henkvandergaast3948]

I am not sure we can cope with your heads,, Great podcast

[@tommatthews7982]

This was brilliant! New sub right here 👌🏻 keep it up guys 👏🏻

[@fe6767]

Did I miss something? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland debunk 3 theories on who destroyed the Library of Alexandria (though the debunking of the Christians as the culprits was the weakest - Christian copyists preserved lots of ancient texts, therefore, no Christians could have destroyed the library) but there was no mention of what they do believe happened.

[@animalcart4128]

This video will help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2W6hmudpteaqbMsi=2ugyADo_XDGvJaBx It started happening in Ancient Rome. Plutarch and Gellius seem to oversimplify the end of the library by saying Caesar did it. It's an easy and dramatic story so it appealed to people. Then some folks in the Middle Ages blamed the invading Muslims for their own rhetorical purposes. Then Edward Gibbon and Carl Sagan blamed the Christians because of their own bias. It got fictionalized multiple times

[@ishtarg8]

As I remember, in the podcast, which may have been longer, they suggested there was no cataclysmic moment of destruction , just a steady attrition caused by indifference and poor maintenance over a number of years or even decades.More boring than than some catastrophic fire, but perhaps more likely.

[@ulrikjensen6841]

Excuse me, but were there any muslims in the world at the time of the fire? Which took place - - - when?

[@fe6767]

@@ulrikjensen6841 As I pointed out you will need to look elsewhere for answers.

[@SterlingHolcomb-db9fc]

Thank u for your work!

[@BookTimewithElvis]

Wonderful so glad to see you've done this. 😄👍

[@jasonwhittle5494]

Ptolemy is one of the greatest men to have lived, barely remembered because of Alexander’s self-editing nightly of his own biography, placing himself at the centre of every success. The Persians were in a state of collapse and the Macedonians step into their still warm slippers. Alexander was a alcoholic maniac whose victories were exclusively the work of his generals and the failures of his enemies. It would be great if you did an episode on Ptolemy.

[@benjaminblakemore9704]

OMG I LISTEN TO YOU GUYS ALLLLLL DAY AT WORK!!!!😂😂😂❤❤❤ NO I SEE YOU HAHA LOVE YOU GUYS!!! KIND REGARDS FROM NEW ZEALAND 🇳🇿 ✨️ 😍 😀 😂

[@Misfits822]

Will this be a full episode gents!

[@Alidadadar]

great going guys... love the podcast but with physical copies od documents, photos and stuff... brings a lot more depth :)

[@janetlohmann586]

Love the program on KZbin

[@BenB199]

More of this please

[@helpmaboabb]

I learn of this discussion from a friend, who on hearing, decides I also should hear the discussion of ancient history as if it were going on outside the window, but he goes to the pub, and on his return, decides this historic present narrative mush is a pain in the arse, and calls me to say he changes his mind.

[@andywomack3414]

Did the library survive the tsunami of 365 CE? That is a fact of history rarely mentioned about the story of Alexandria.