Libraries in the Ancient World
Lionel Casson(Author)
Yale University Press
Published on 11. March 2001
Book
Hardback
185 pages
978-0-300-08809-0 (ISBN)
Description
This delightful book tells the story of ancient libraries from their very beginnings, when 'books' were clay tablets and writing was a new phenomenon. Renowned classicist Lionel Casson takes us on a lively tour, from the royal libraries of the most ancient Near East, through the private and public libraries of Greece and Rome, down to the first Christian monastic libraries. To the founders of the first public libraries of the Greek world goes the credit for creating the prototype of today's library buildings and the science of organising books in them. Casson recounts the development of ancient library buildings, systems, holdings, and patrons, addressing questions on a wide variety of topics, such as: What was the connection between the rise in eduction and literacy and the growth of libraries?; Who contributed to the early development of public libraries, especially the great library at Alexandria?; What did ancient libraries include in their holdings?; How did ancient libraries acquire books?; What was the nature of publishing in the Greek and Roman world?;
How did differnt types of users (royalty, scholars, religious figures) and different kinds of 'books' (tablets, scrolls, codices) affect library arrangements?; How did Christianity transform the nature of library holdings?; Just as a library yields unexpected treasures to a meandering browser, this entertaining book offers to its perusers the surprising history of the rise and development of ancient libraries - a fascinating story never told before.
How did differnt types of users (royalty, scholars, religious figures) and different kinds of 'books' (tablets, scrolls, codices) affect library arrangements?; How did Christianity transform the nature of library holdings?; Just as a library yields unexpected treasures to a meandering browser, this entertaining book offers to its perusers the surprising history of the rise and development of ancient libraries - a fascinating story never told before.
Reviews / Votes
"A wonderful book on a wonderful subject, Casson knows what is interesting and tells us in spellbinding sytle." G.W. Bowersock"More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
30 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
320 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-08809-0 (9780300088090)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Lionel Casson
Libraries in the Ancient World
E-Book
10/2008
1st Edition
Yale University Press
€27.79
Available for download
Person
Lionel Casson is Professor Emeritus of Classics, New York University, and the author of Ships and Seamanship in the Ancient World as well as many other books on ancient maritime history and ancient travel.