The dawn of the third century of the Christian era revealed an extraordinary mixture of different religions, sects, and philosophies at Alexandria, the centre of learning. The Christian, Judaic, and pagan religions were not on friendly terms; the Alexandrian school as well as the schools of Plato and Aristotle were decaying fast; and the presence of Stoics and Epicureans tended to increase the difficulties. But there was one factor that was common to all elements of this curious conglomeration – it was a profound contempt for science.
By Asit K. Biswas, Chapter 7 of the book: History of Hydrology, 1970, North-Holland Publishing Company, Amsterdam.