Who Destroyed The Library of Alexandria? | The Rest is History 

Our first attempt at a RU-vid version of the podcast. Let us know your thoughts!

Great things about this format: - The overlay of pictures really adds depth to the discussion which we don't usually get with the audio only version (as illuminating and imagination stirring as that is!) - it feels as though Dom and Tom are in the same room, having a conversation, which I am sure they're not but perfectly suits their style - I hope the fact the video is there doesn't make them feel self conscious or affect the flow of discussion too much, because they are truly some of the best in the medium at this; knowing when it is their turn to speak and almost never talking over each other but flowing perfectly in sync. Thanks so much for bringing this to us!!

Been listening to the pod for a while, absolutely love it. It’s always crazy when you see people for the first time after hearing their voices for so long. You both look nothing like I was expecting you to! Your banter, wit and tone of voice always came across as someone younger for some reason. In hindsight it’s no surprise given you’re depth of knowledge and intelligence. Absolutely love the pod!

I had no idea that Dominic had a face. How wondeful? Perennial excellence. Thank you boys.

Best podcast ever, glad to see more activity on RU-vid.

I mostly listen to the podcast on Spotify because I'll listen on my way to work, but I really do enjoy what you guys do on youtube and getting to go back and refresh my memory with some nice visuals. Keep it up gents

Always a good subject for a YT video, where the ultimate answer = “We’ll never know.”

Excellent idea! Although we sometimes see Tom on our screens in Canada, I don’t think we’ve been graced with Dominic’s presence.😊

Mark Felton's excellent channel has just under 2M subscribers. There's such a thirst for history on YT that the potential for this channel to grow is massive. Go big on more graphics and videos clips over narration is my humble advice.

Best podcast going. Keep the maps coming in the videos! Can never have too many maps.

Yes more of this! It perfectly compliments the podcast , there are visuals and we get to see the lovely visages of our favorite historians!

Ive only recently learned about The Rest is History podcast and ive been spamming all the episodes before my vacation to Rome and Greece I am so excited for this trip! Listening to the history of these places with Tom and Dom has been fantastic!!! Happy I found this!

I do hope you get read this… I have been bowled over by TRIH podcast… it’s my favourite. I’ve never really bothered that much about history but you guys explain it superbly, and can’t get enough- Thank you! It is my favourite listen and I think it’s brilliant you are doing a RU-vid version!

Love the RU-vid version. Just adding your faces makes a big difference, and I imagine it will help with the algorithm as well

Nice to meet you guys! 😃

Really like the podcast and the fascinating topics. Great fan of Dominic's sense of humor and calm professionalism.

Very enjoyable. I like the one person at a time shot rather than having you both on screen at a time. I love the graphics inserts. Great effort. And of course the content was excellent.

Guys…this is a great format. Excellent.

I love it. Thanks so much for starting the YT channel.. Huge fan here.

Love this podcast form of The Rest Is History! Keep it up please.

The visuals add so much to the story, please carry this on if possible

Please more of this. I love the insertion of graphics into the video and to SEE two men talking about these subjects.

Love the visuals and seeing your passion for history we could only hear.

I think it is a great idea, i read Dominic’s book on Alexander the Great but this video cleared all my remaining questions

A great format for youtube. Please keep the longer audio format going. I'm a recent convert to your podcasts and listen as I work on renovating our house. Up to podcast 104 so far, so few more to go. Still a lot of house to work on so keep them coming plz.

I love being able to see “ my history guys “ . I am so used to just their voices and great to see their faces . I just binged the shorts . I will watch / listen to anything from T&D . I have listened to Doms audio book

I love that we get to see you now!

This is great. The visuals were very well-chosen

Dom's library looks fantastic.

Really enjoyed this format. The pictures absolutely complement the podcast. More please!

What a great idea to have you now on RU-vid. Looking forward to seeing more of this.

I can see this format taking off! Definitely need more 😀

Love the podcast been listening for about 2 years now. I have to admit I thought of history as a bit boring until I came across your podcast, now I'm disappointed you haven't given up your personal lives and gave us atleast 2 episodes a day! Keep up the great work 👍

We need more of this format!

I love this! Always good to see your faces! I've been looking forward to an episode on the Library of Alexandria!

Love the podcast since I discovered it about a year ago but I’ve always thought you could do a video version. Glad to see you’re trying this, keep it up!

Good stuff, lads! Keep it coming

love this format. please keep doing it!

I have listened to this podcast religiously (Tom will be pleased to hear) since the very first episode came out. The option to watch and view, however, is genuinely a game changer. Wouldn’t prevent me from listening, but might be inclined to watch when chilling at home.

This was a nice supplement to the "faceless" podcasts I'm slowly getting caught up on over on Spotify. As an occasional supplement to the main podcast, I think it's great.

Great little vid, gents. Thanks

Great to see you both!

Really enjoyed this. Enigmatic Tom, not acknowledging the camera, whilst Dom the odd sly glance!

Great idea, I loved the podcast before and now even more

Are the pictures as devoted to accuracy/objectivity as Tom and Dominic's prepared dialogue? Perhaps the most critical value of TRIH is this Objectivity, neutral view which acknowledges the unknown, the conflicts, and the possible faults in information. To maintain this, its important the media is given the same acknowledged critique. Love this though. And Love the show!

If there was Rest Is History merch i'd absolutely buy it. Absolute lads!

I like this format boys keep it up 👍🏾

This has left me intrigued just what happened to the Library of Alexandria? Where is the collection now?

Didn't realise the length of it so watched while washing up. Good format, useful images and good candour. It will be very useful for episodes on wars battles for deployment images and hierarchical structures. Perhaps on primary sources to be shown as well. Good idea keep up the excellent work

Great idea, i like the accompanying visuals. Really helps bring the stories to life

Love the format! Please keep the content going!

This is lovely but it means sitting down, and looking and paying attention! I shall continue to listen as I walk ….much more intimate! Bu5 nice to have it as a resource to come back to!

This is certainly 10x better than a pictureless version

Excellent! These could really compliment the full episodes, and maybe even pull in some new listeners once the clips win them over

Love the podcasts and loved this RU-vid version 👍🏻

Well this is a treat. Nice addition to the podcast.

The podcast is amazing and so is this

Great initiative having the youtube version! It could only be better if you were in Amsterdam or other wacky in loco recording location.

You guys are addictive. First a great podcast, now YT videos. Fascinating!

great going guys... love the podcast but with physical copies od documents, photos and stuff... brings a lot more depth :)

More of this please 🙏 I love the podcast, but it's great to have some visual aids. It really helps to understand and retain the information. Some videos on the 100 years war would be amazing

Love this… was hoping that you guys would post a youtube version of the podcast! Love you guys and an Uber fan of the rest is history! 🎉

This is absolutely incredible

Thank u for your work!

I like the format !! Anything visual helps but the content is always top notch for

You guys are the best. I learn so much from you, can't thank you enough for doing that all for free. Thinking about studying history at the university of Vienna, and you are a major influence for that. Besides that, you are funny as hell. And I get to learn some proper british english. Haha. Keep going!

Yes more please!

Love it. More and more please.

What a treat, it's so nice to see you! 👍

Love this podcast. Fantastic chemistry and great elements of humour and impressions

This is great. I had no idea you did the RU-vid although I’ve been listening to your podcast for ages. Keep going

I hadn’t heard your podcast but I have really enjoyed this RU-vid episode and I have subscribed immediately.

This was tremendous! Hope you both do more of these!

That was terrific! 👏 More please!

Jolly Good Sirs! Hoorah for Libraries!

OMG I LISTEN TO YOU GUYS ALLLLLL DAY AT WORK!!!!😂😂😂❤❤❤ NO I SEE YOU HAHA LOVE YOU GUYS!!! KIND REGARDS FROM NEW ZEALAND 🇳🇿 ✨️ 😍 😀 😂

Love the program on RU-vid

Good work guys! Keep it up 👍

Would love to see more like this!

Please add some more! Wonderful

I am not sure we can cope with your heads,, Great podcast

You’re definitely my most favorite historians!!!

Excellent news, saw you guys live in Melbourne the other night and now a YT version .. huzzah

Goats 🐐

I'm obsessed kings! 👑👑👑 Pls do more !!!

Love it! Keep it up. Absolutely love the podcast. Riveting.

Will this be a full episode gents!

I can imagine a teacher having to explain to their class what a library is. Much to Mother's equal pride and dismay, my family ate dinner with books open at the table. Now everyone is sneaking glances at their phone to see if they have received a virtual pat on the head from a stranger in Finland. My father left school at 14, which was expected for a working class lad in those days, and yet he is better read than almost every academic I know. Where this leads us I daren't imagine, but I doubt it's somewhere good.

Did I miss something? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland debunk 3 theories on who destroyed the Library of Alexandria (though the debunking of the Christians as the culprits was the weakest - Christian copyists preserved lots of ancient texts, therefore, no Christians could have destroyed the library) but there was no mention of what they do believe happened.

Thank you for stating the truth on this topic!

Thankyou so much for this. I love it

I've always imagined your looks to match the cover image of David and Churchill, and it turns out to be pretty accurate!

Wonderful so glad to see you've done this. 😄👍

This was brilliant! New sub right here 👌🏻 keep it up guys 👏🏻

When Dubai held its recent EXPO it appeared so much better than I ever expected it would. The architecture was beautiful, the participation from around the world was wonderful. I have, personally, been involved in the design of Expos and World Fairs - I've worked for some of the largest design, media and film companies in the world. As Dubai's Expo was drawing to a close I wrote them, several times, encouraging them to preserve its concept, but to take it even further. I used "Alexandria" as a reference, several times, to suggest that their Expo site, with all its wonderful buildings, could be converted into an international university, something Walt Disney (another visionary) was imagining his EPCOT might become. A setting to encourage a sharing of knowledge, international communication, "world peace". My communications with them were a vain hope on my part. Instead, the Expo closed down, and the setting has become a real estate area for future living type buildings. A rare opportunity, I believe, was lost, sadly, in my opinion.

It's nice to see you guys

interesting research and presentation, kudos!

I learn of this discussion from a friend, who on hearing, decides I also should hear the discussion of ancient history as if it were going on outside the window, but he goes to the pub, and on his return, decides this historic present narrative mush is a pain in the arse, and calls me to say he changes his mind.

Great stuff!

Excellent stuff