Serapeum

[ ser-uh-pee-uhm ]

noun

, plural Ser·a·pe·ums, Ser·a·pe·a [ser-, uh, -, pee, -, uh].

1. a place, as a burial site, building, or group of buildings, dedicated to Serapis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Serapeum¹

1835–45; < Late Latin Serāpēum < Greek Serāpeîon

Example Sentences

The Serapeum seems to have suffered a fire at some point around CE 181 and again in 217 but was rebuilt, although there is no indication whether the fire affected the library or just the temple complex.

From Time

There were in fact two libraries in ancient Alexandria, The Mouseion and the Serapeum, or the Inner and Outer Libraries.

From Time

He supposed, however, that the Serapeum did not reveal all its wisdom at once, perhaps; and he did not lose hope altogether.

From Project Gutenberg

Steinschneider's catalogue in the Serapeum mentions a very large number of songs.

From Project Gutenberg

The ruined edifice of the Serapeum, the masterpiece of Bryaxis laid in fragments in the dust, and thousands of wailing heathen!

From Project Gutenberg

The Imperial troops were in fact masters of the secret passage; and they had begun the attack on the Serapeum in earnest.

From Project Gutenberg

The Bishop and the monks in the Serapeum, meant the overthrow of the statue of the sovereign god—death and destruction.

From Project Gutenberg