Edict of Theodosius

The Edict of Theodosius, issued in 391 AD, mandated the closure of pagan temples throughout the Roman Empire, altering the religious and intellectual landscape, especially in Alexandria.

In 391 AD, Emperor Theodosius I issued an edict aiming to strengthen Christianity by prohibiting pagan practices across the Roman Empire. This edict had particularly significant repercussions in Alexandria, home to the Serapeum, a major pagan temple that housed part of the collections of the ancient Library of Alexandria. The destruction of the Serapeum, following the edict, marked a turning point in Alexandria’s intellectual and religious history. With the temples closed, many precious works and knowledge were lost, symbolizing the end of an era of religious and cultural plurality.