K.’s Comments (group member since Apr 23, 2012)

K.’s comments from the Q&A with K. Hollan Van Zandt group.

Wow! That is fascinating. I have been curious how Christians would receive this novel, and so far, I have been impressed by the embrace. Feel free to let me know if you have any further questions about the research : )
-Kaia Van Zandt

A fair warning: Don't read the conclusion of my novel in advance! It has lots of spoilers. When you do get there, it will explain what of the novel is fiction, and what is history -- and you will feel satisfied, I can assure you.

However, since I am repeatedly asked about the history, I thought I would post this excellent Smithsonian link I came across on Hypatia and what we know about her. (The Deakin book mentioned is a penetrable read for anyone who wants to take research a step further. I used it among others.)

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/special...

Awe, shucks! What a great comment. Thanks, Teddy.

Well, due to an earthquake in the 6th or 7th century, most of what was Alexandria then now lies at the bottom of the harbor. But that didn't stop a French dive team from going in to harvest the treasures in 2000. Here's a link to an article in the Smithsonian:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science...

--It's a very difficult spot to dive because of the intense east-west current, but they are finding the remnants of the Pharos lighthouse, several sphinxes, and even the monolith statues of Ptolemy and his bride that once crowned the harbor's entrance.

As for the Great Library, most scholars seem to think it went out with a whimper and not a bang. The Arabs in the 6th century dismembered the library and largely used the scrolls as toilet paper and bath house fuel.

But I do believe that there could have been a massive cover-up conspiracy by the Christians in the 5th century. I think they could have indeed been responsible for the destruction of the library, and since most of the scribes would have died, the remaining scribes would have been Christians.

You have to remember that 5th century was a largely illiterate world. Those who could read and write were 99% men, and the upper class and slaves. Training a slave to read was important for merchants, as it raised the value of their slaves. So ironically, some slaves had more opportunity even than the middle classes as Hannah did in the novel.

The Christian priests could write, and after the 5th century they had complete control of the information in the city.

Could the real answers lie in the Vatican basement?