The Serapeum

The Serapeum of Alexandria in the Ptolemaic Kingdom was an ancient Greek temple built by Ptolemy III Euergetes (reigned 246–222 BC) and dedicated to Serapis, who was made the protector of Alexandria. There are also signs of Harpocrates. It has been referred to as the daughter of the Library of Alexandria. The site has been heavily plundered.
The site is located on a rocky plateau, overlooking land and sea. By all detailed accounts, the Serapeum was the largest and most magnificent of all temples in the Greek quarter of Alexandria. Besides the image of the god, the temple precinct housed an offshoot collection of the great Library of Alexandria.
The Serapeum of Alexandria was originally closed in July of 325 AD, likely on the orders of the Christian emperor Constantine.[citation needed] Then, in 391 AD, religious riots broke out, and an old document relates the account of this event:
"The Serapeum was the last stronghold of the pagans who fortified themselves in the temple and its enclosure. The sanctuary was stormed by the Christines. The pagans endured for weeks, before finally giving in to the assault of the Christines(Christians). Upon their forced entry, the crusaders found not one body nor man, but a fierce light from within."

Type

Acropolis / Citadel