Alexandrian School
the common designation of a series of scientific endeavors which were founded and encouraged through the generosity of the Ptolemies, and which had their seat in Alexandria and continued for more than 700 years, from 300 в. c. to 500 A. D. The basis of these schools was the Museion (museum) where the scientists lived and taught as pensioners at the public cost.
For the use of these learned men two libraries were founded by the Ptolemies.
See ALEXANDRIAN LIBRARY.
ALEXANDROPOL (formerly Gumri), an important fortress and the largest town in the Erivan district of Russian Armenia. It lies on a treeless plateau on the road from Erivan to Kara. The stronghold gives the Russians complete command of the headwaters of the Euphrates. The silk trade is actively carried on in the town. Pop. about 40,000. ALFIERI