The earliest museum in the world is now believed to be the Museum of Alexandria, which was founded around 290 BC in the West. It grew out of the port city of Alexandria, the most prosperous city of its time, which was founded by Alexander. After Alexander's death, the Ptolemaic Dynasty was founded by his minister, Ptolemy Soto, who founded the Alexander Erudite Garden, the largest academic and artistic research center of the time. There was a library, a botanical garden, a research institute, and a temple of MUSES, later known as the Alexandria Museum, dedicated to cultural treasures. MUSES are nine goddesses in charge of culture and art in ancient Greek legend. The word "MUSEUM" in the west originates from the temple of MUSES.