Scholarly Vigilantes: Decline of the Library of Alexandria, 145 BCE

The collection and safekeeping of knowledge is one of the most important elements of building and advancing civilizations. The Library of Alexandria was one of the ancient world’s and the Ptolemaic Empire’s largest banks of knowledge placed in what, by many, was considered the capital of learning. 

Scholars in Alexandria have been of varying specialities and knowledge bases, including mechanics, medicine, literature, mathematics, astrology, amongst many other topics. Epic poems and mathematics proofs have all been penned and stored inside the Library of Alexandria throughout its duration. The papyrus scrolls stored within the Library may have numbered up to 400,000 works. Maintaining and protecting the library, as well as its scholars, works, and relations to the Ptolemaic Empire and surrounding neighbors is integral to progressing the pursuit of knowledge in the 2nd century BC. 

The Library of Alexandria has been through many periods of loss and decline throughout its history. This committee will simulate a particularly troubling time in the year of 145 BCE. It will begin immediately prior to the rise of the tyrannical Ptolemy VIII who sought to expel all scholars and consequently threatened the growth of knowledge and academia within the Library and all those it served. The scenario serves as a consequential dilemma, pivotal to the maintenance of scholarship of ancient Egypt.

Chair Letter

Dear Delegates, 

My name is Lori Garavartanian (she/her) and I couldn’t be more excited to be chairing LAMUN XVIII’s Scholarly Vigilantes: Decline of the Library of Alexandria, 145 BCE committee! I hope both me and our crisis director, Max, are able to help you all engage and have fun with the pursuit of saving and spreading academia in ancient times. 

Some more about me: I’m a second-year political science major with approximately 30 double major ideas (something with linguistics is the current plan). I was born and raised in LA, specifically the San Fernando Valley, so if anyone wants to know more about the area you’re talking to the right person. Additionally, please let me know if I have a valley girl accent, it’s something I’ve been trying to figure out for a while. Model UN is something I have been involved in since the 8th grade. I participated in BruinMUN, UCLA MUN’s high school conference, throughout high school and find myself still competing at conferences with our travel team. I staffed the UNPFII specialized body last LAMUN and recently chaired for BruinMUN this Fall. I’m really looking forward to chairing on the college circuit and engaging with a whole new set of delegates and all the ideas you all bring to the table. Outside of MUN, I write for UCLA’s student publication, the Daily Bruin, work for the Campus Life office, and dedicate time to Armenian organizations off campus. I’ve also somehow made liking sports a personality trait and could talk anyone’s ear off about it if given the chance. 

Since I was a little kid, books and libraries have fascinated me. I even went so far as to make a list of libraries I wanted to visit at some point. While I don’t have as much time to read for fun nowadays, my love for learning and exploring literature has stayed with me throughout college. Books are often a gateway to other worlds, but they can also be a way to document what we learn and find out in the world we already occupy. It’s very important to preserve what we know and add upon it, which is why this committee is something I’m so passionate about. I hope everyone in this committee can also tap into that passion and love for academia. 

Sincerely, 

Lori Garavartanian

Chair

Scholarly Vigilantes: Decline of the Library of Alexandria, 145 BCE | LAMUN XVIII

CD Letter

Dear Delegates, 

Welcome! I’m Max Schaked (he/him), and I am super excited to be your Crisis Director for Scholarly Vigilantes: Decline of the Library of Alexandria, 145 BCE.

I am a second-year Political Science and Economics double major coming in all the way from Orlando, Florida. Yes, I do wrestle with alligators in my free time. Yes, I always win. Additionally, I enjoy rock climbing, crossword puzzling (my inner grandpa loves this), screenplay writing, spikeball, thrifting, and playing/producing music — shameless plug for Max Daniel on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you stream. 

I’ve had an incredible time so far during my two years at UCLA — conducting history and policy research through the Luskin School of Public Affairs, writing for The Burkle Center for International Relations, and authoring California legislative policy-memos on gentrification and democratic access. I’m a UCLA Global Development Lab member and creator of the Humantics podcast. Of course, I’m in love with Model UN, having founded my high school team and now competing on the UCLA team in national crisis committees.  

I was obsessed with Schoolhouse Rock when I was a kid and truly believe that “Knowledge is Power!” This Library of Alexandria committee endeavors to explore exactly that. When seemingly insuperable forces prey on the downfall of these scholars, can you — with little more than the intangibles of wisdom and thought — keep the library (and what it stands for) alive? 

Can’t wait to meet you all,

Max Schaked

Crisis Director | Scholarly Vigilantes: Decline of the Library of Alexandria, 145 BCE | LAMUN XVIII