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Author Casson, Lionel, 1914-2009.

Title Libraries in the ancient world / Lionel Casson.

Publication Info. New Haven : Yale University Press, [2001]
©2001

Item Status

Description 1 online resource (xii, 177 pages) : illustrations, maps.
Physical Medium polychrome
Description text file
Series Yale Nota Bene
Yale Nota bene.
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents The beginnings : the ancient Near East -- The beginnings : Greece -- The library of Alexandria -- The growth of libraries -- The beginnings : Rome -- Libraries of the Roman Empire : the city of Rome -- Libraries of the Roman Empire : outside the city of Rome -- From roll to codex -- Toward the Middle Ages.
Summary 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.
Local Note eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America
Subject Libraries -- History -- To 400.
Libraries.
History.
Chronological Term To 400
Genre/Form Electronic books.
History.
Other Form: Print version: Casson, Lionel, 1914-2009. Libraries in the ancient world. New Haven : Yale University Press, ©2001 (DLC) 00011668
ISBN 9780300133134 (electronic book)
0300133138 (electronic book)
1281731331
9781281731333
9780300088090
0300088094
0300097212
9780300097214