Why did the Library of Alexandria disappear?

The Library of Alexandria was part of the great scholarly center built in Hellenistic Egypt, likely founded in the 3rd century BCE under the Ptolemies. Over time, the collection and associated institutions suffered from war, neglect, funding changes, and possible fires. Julius Caesar’s siege of Alexandria in 48 BCE is often mentioned in connection with damage, though the scale is uncertain. Later conflicts in the Roman and late antique periods likely contributed to the loss of much of the collection and scholarly activity. Because sources are incomplete, historians do not agree on one single “destruction” date.