In the Beginning
Codex – translated by Mark Miller, December 1995 found in the Wadi Natrun (cave 450uc) by Alexi Hamilton, dated to anno domini 415
My Notes on an Emergency Library Staff Meeting,
I
don’t ever come to Library Council meetings because I’m only an
assistant librarian, not high enough rank to be included. But after
what happened yesterday, I was invited to this one. I’m still a
little shaky, and everyone is pretty upset, but I’m here now and
will write everything down, so no one can say it didn’t happen or
later tell about it like it happened some other way.
Theon
called this meeting of the full Library Council with guests late
yesterday. Regular breakfast Council meetings of senior library
administrators are held here at this table once a week. This one
isn’t regular, it was called because a terrible crime was committed
yesterday in the Library.
Senior
library staff members, functional department advisers and librarians
in charge of collections are already seated. All areas of
intellectual inquiry at Alexandria University are represented:
Philosophy, Homeric and Textual Criticism, Bibliography and Poetry,
Epic Poetry, Geography, Grammar, Mathematics, Medicine and Natural
Sciences. Two assistant librarians will record the minutes of the
meeting.
At
the far end of this long table, two guests represent the Empire. The
Roman Prefect Orestes is governor of Alexandria, the Emperor’s
Representative on Imperial Oversight. Last week he suffered a severe
head injury during a street riot instigated by Alexandrian Bishop
Cyril’s monks. Still a little pale, Orestes claims to be healing
fast. I’m glad he’s able to be here. One of Hypatia’s good
friends, he always supports the Library.
Two
chairs away from Orestes is the ranking officer of the Roman Imperial
Guard for this complex. His back straight, he looks down at the table
or off in the distance above people’s heads, and doesn’t talk. He
never cares to be involved in politics. I only know him because he
and my father were friends.
Bishop
Cyril was the other invited guest. He was recently elevated to bishop
of the Christian Church for Alexandria after the death of his uncle,
Bishop Theophilus, who held that position of ecclesiastical authority
for a long time. Cyril enjoys his new role and has used the power of
his position several times to make his intentions clear. Incidents of
harassment of citizens, including Orestes and other Roman officials
plus Alexandria’s pagans and Jews, have become frequent. I didn’t
think he would condescend to attend this meeting; and he didn’t.
Cyril
sent Hierax, his new Adviser on Heretical Oversight. Both men have
made it clear they thought Cyril should have been elevated above
Orestes and given unrestricted power over the city. Hierax hasn’t
spoken to anyone yet. He makes it a point to ignore everyone from the
Library and any representative of the Empire. His cold, contemptuous
eyes scare people; most try not to look at him.
At
this end of the table, Olympius, the Empire’s current chair for
External Library Relations, is beside Hypatia, head of the Library,
and Theon, her father who’s head of Alexandria University. They
exchanged quiet words of encouragement. I am a couple of chairs away
so I can concentrate on writing down all the important stuff.
Everyone
has finished eating. Most seem to be on edge, both wanting and not
wanting to hear any shocking details, surprised to see me here.
Several expressed their gratitude. I’m the assistant librarian who
saved the day and managed to escape unharmed; but I didn’t sleep
much last night. Theon
stood up and began in his quiet, familiar way.
“Colleagues,
by now most of you know there was a security breach yesterday,
downstairs where our oldest, most sacred and treasured materials are
kept.” He paused and glanced down the table. “That was the most
alarming attack against library staff and collections we’ve had
this year.
“Although
there have been threats and violence in the past and riots in the
streets this month, we believed our sacred mission to collect, store
and make available the knowledge and wisdom of mankind was respected
and valued by the citizens of Alexandria. That may no longer be true
if they have been influenced by Cyril. I don’t know.
“We
didn’t expect an attack.” Theon turned and looked at the
librarians, as if to give them courage. “It happened so fast that
everyone was surprised and in shock when two black-robed monks walked
in and went straight to the Roman guard beside the main entrance to
our underground storage area. They did not appear to be a threat; but
quickly stabbed Maximus and ran down the stairs. Maximus was a young
man and had been with us only a month. His death brought me terrible
sadness.
“It
was fortuitous that Yarrl came by quite soon after and without
breaking stride, picked up the guard’s sword and headed downstairs
into the gloom of the main corridor. Afterward he told me what had
happened. First he saw a body on the floor, and two black-robed
figures running in the distance.
“Those
monks had killed a second person.” Theon bowed his head and closed
his eyes for an instant. “It was Leonides, a gifted and loyal staff
member. He was a kind man, an excellent manager and caretaker of our
precious, original scrolls.
“Yarrl
caught up to the monks in the left-side storage area. No damage was
visible, but they were in position to destroy several shelves of
irreplaceable scrolls. They heard him coming and began to turn toward
him. But Yarrl was prepared and killed them both before they could do
any damage or attack him.
“Thank
goodness Yarrl’s father arranged for him to be trained in
self-defense by several members of an elite cohort when he was quite
young.” Theon paused to steady his voice. “He was able to strike
first. We are all grateful for that.
“We
mourn the loss of these two good men who were taken from us.” Theon
seemed to regain his composure. “But such acts of violence against
our people and the collections indicate to me a growing hostility
toward the Library, the staff and our work to preserve ancient
wisdom. I’m stunned and have no explanation for it.
“Hypatia
and I visited with Orestes last evening. He wanted to be here today
and will speak to us now.” Theon gestured toward the other end of
the table and Orestes stood up.
“Thank
you, Theon. I’m glad I could be with all of you this morning.”
Orestes voice seemed to grow stronger as he spoke. “I was shocked
to learn of the violent attack yesterday. A deliberate order was
given to be carried out against the library and the people who work
here; a crime against the city and all citizens. It is unforgivable.
“All
citizens should be thankful we have this important Library. Our basic
functions, the search for new knowledge and collection of historical
documents, have brought Alexandria great respect from throughout the
world.” As he looked at each of the librarians, he could see they
needed some reassurance.
“I
consider the security of this complex and the safety of library
materials to be of highest priority for the citizens of Alexandria
and the Empire. Last night I doubled the number of Roman guards
assigned to protect the Temple, the Library and the staff. If more
are needed in the future, we will take care of you.” He gave a
slight nod and sat down.
“Thank
you, Orestes, for your strong support and ongoing interest in the
Library. May your complete recovery be swift.” Theon sent him a
brief smile.
At
that moment I saw Hierax look down the table at Hypatia, his glance
triumphant. Even though the monks had not achieved their goal, he
could gloat about how easy it had been to get into the most secure
area of the library. There were plenty more monks to send on the same
mission. “Olympius,
I think we’re all curious about what’s going on across the
Empire. As you’re just back from Pergamon and Antioch, would you
please tell us what you’ve learned?” Theon motioned for him to
stand. “I give you the floor.”
“The
news has become more and more negative.” A big man, his shoulders
seemed to sag in defeat, but he continued, his voice solemn.
“Violent attacks on the library staff and attempts to destroy
library collections have occurred at both libraries. Alexandria
isn’t the only facility with terrible problems. Violence against
librarians and destruction of materials has also happened at Imperial
libraries in Rome and Constantinople; and some smaller libraries have
been closed by their respective Christian bishops.
“I
was also informed that the Emperor is aware of and approves
everything that’s happening. It is a sad and frightening time.”
Olympius sighed and looked down at the table for a moment.
“The
Christian hierarchy considers everything that’s not presented in
their specific, sanctioned language to be heretical and contrary to
Church doctrine. Attacks are always violent and often include the
looting and burning of scrolls, destruction of library equipment and
loss of life.
“I’m
sorry, gentlemen and dear lady, that I was not able to bring better
news, but I have seen some of this destruction for myself and
received many missives from our colleagues across the sea.” He sat
down.
“Thank
you, Olympius, we’re shocked by your report and sorry to hear
libraries across the Empire have been having so many problems.
“Hierax,
as a representative of the Alexandrian Church and adviser to Bishop
Cyril, what have you to say about all of this?” Theon used plain
words.
“Theon,
my good friend, and members of the Council,” Hierax stood and
glanced around at everyone. “Let me say first that Cyril sends you
all greetings and wishes for good health. He’s sorry he couldn’t
attend this meeting. He, of course, has more pressing issues to
attend to.
“The
Bishop asked me to make something clear to all of you before this
meeting is adjourned. This Library contains scrolls and codices that
do not support Church doctrine and are therefore heretical.” He
paused for effect. “This facility will not be allowed to retain
those materials. They must be destroyed.” He looked around the
table at each person with a brief, cold glance.
“As
for yesterday, the Bishop assured me that was an isolated incident
and emphasized in no uncertain terms that murder will not be used as
an instrument of policy against the Library staff.
“However,”
Hierax waved his arm to include everyone. “The Bishop has also made
it quite clear that any Christian who enters the Library retains
every right to defend himself.”
“Hierax,”
Theon interrupted. “Yesterday was not the first incident here.
There were several attempts made this past year to destroy valuable
items in our collections. Yesterday was an escalation of the
violence. This time, state officials were murdered while in
performance of their duties. Can you really expect us to believe the
Church is not behind all these criminal acts?” Theon stiffened
slightly.
“Theon
and members of the Council,” his voice cut like a steel blade. “I’m
sure Bishop Cyril finds it difficult to control violence and
destruction by monks; just as Orestes seems to have trouble
controlling the violent actions of Jews against Christians.” Heirax
sat down.
And
that was the end. Everyone got up and went back to work. What a
terrible meeting, I’m glad I was there, but I am sad and upset to
realize how hostile groups are to each other right now in Alexandria.
Even with our different opinions, religions, political persuasions we
used to get along. We seem to have lost our common ground and true
understanding of anything.
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“We will meet with him soon.”
The Guardians looked at one another and nodded.
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NEXT.....Notes on Troubles in Egypt
