also I should point out the director had a great shot of an anthill right before this scene that stands as an obvious metaphor.

I've heard stories that apparently the Library of Alexandria was more of a giant closet that people stuff scrolls into more than something that was actually curated and organized in any sensible way. I can't even being to gauge the authority or veracity of the idea, but I find it funny, so I want to share it anyway.

This looks good. I remember my theatre was getting a bunch of posters and stuff for the film, but I don't think it ever came, or if it did it was after I left and I sort of forgot about it. Seems like every period movie was going for X-TREME Roman/Greek/Spartan etc. around this time, and this looks like it avoids that dumbed down aesthetic for a really good story and great, real visuals.

This one sucked too!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House _of_Wisdom

The history of the early monastics is pretty monstrous. Originally, they were literally just roving bands of Christian thugs. The Benedictine Rule was a direct response to events like this, trying to bring some sort of order to these guys. In order to discourage the wrong sort of elements from basically just putting on a black/brown robe and running around smashing things in the name of Christ, Benedict declared the rule of celibacy and mandatory work duty to weed out the riff-raff.

hallelu - akbar!