TWELVE
Gaia
The Mouseion had expanded considerably into the Neapolis and :~
Brukheionwthe Hellenic quartertsince ancient times, and had even set a foot the school of medicine--into the Aigyptian district. The buildings of the school of medicine, the Erasistrateion, abutted the smaller, less reputable Library of Domestic Oikoumen Studies, the one-time Serapeion.
The university, research center and library actually, seven
buildings spread around the original library occupied a square about four stadia on a side in the middle of the city. Scattered throughout the older marble and granite and limestone buildings were new, boxy iron and glass centers for the study of science and mechanics. On top of the steep hill of the former Paneion, the university had installed, five centuries before, a huge stone observatory. It was more a relic than a functioning center of astronomical research, but its grandeur was impressive.
Rhita's neck ached from twisting back and forth. Her carriage rolled Page 128
with an irregular rhythm over the cobbled and slated paths, between feathery tress and stately date palms. The sun dipped in the west, throw