The Gymnasium at Alexandria

This chapter is solely devoted to the discussion of the gymnasium of Alexandria. Through the analysis of both literary and documentary sources, it appears clear that the gymnasium of Alexandria occupied a position of importance within the city and was often chosen as place for momentous—sometimes rather gruesome—events. In addition to the main gymnasium, the chapter shows how other gymnasia were also present and active in the city, as well as other places called palaestrae which were devoted to physical training. Questions concerning the foundation and status of the main Alexandrian gymnasium are discussed, as well as its involvement in questions of citizenship: it is argued that the institution was more likely set up by the first Ptolemies (rather than by Alexander the Great) and it may at first been run privately but subsequently controlled by civic magistrates; in any case, the ephebate was not connected to the definition of citizenship status. The final section of this chapter devotes its attention to the role and presence of Judaeans in the Alexandrian gymnasium and to the rejection of the possible existence of a Judaean gymnasium in the city.