Libraries in the ancient world book ancient history. Here they are all in one place, in no particular order. The book loving ashurbanipal compiled much of his library by looting works from. Libraries were a feature of larger cities across the ancient world with famous examples being those at alexandria, athens, constantinople, ephesus, and nineveh. Today, the great library of alexandria is the most famous ancient library, but it is far from the only one that contained valuable knowledge.
We are an online bookstore dealing in scholarly books of the ancient and medieval world. This version of awdl will be migrated to our new version, available here. There were many private libraries in classical rome, including that of cicero. The library of aristotle was a private library and the earliest one reported on by ancient chroniclers. Topics of interest include accessibility of the collection, acquisition of materials, arrangement and finding tools, the book trade, the influence of the physical properties of the different writing materials, language distribution, role in education, rates of literacy, budgets, staffing, libraries for. Libraries were a feature of larger cities across the ancient world with.
Jul 10, 2018 the ancient library where the books are under lock and key. Libraries in the ancient world by lionel casson 1506 words. 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. Scholarly bookstore specializing in selling rare, scarce, outofprint oop, scholarly and used books dealing with the ancient egyptian, greek, roman and medieval world. This delightful book tells the story of ancient libraries from their very beginnings, when books were clay tablets and writing was a new phenomenon. This alone will make the book very attractive to a readership well beyond those with professional interests in the ancient world. They could be stored in a slip case or book box for transport, and were shelved laid flat. Ancient history encyclopedia limited is a nonprofit company registered in the united kingdom. Libraries in the ancient world book saint paul public. Ancient history encyclopedia foundation is a nonprofit organization registered in canada. Libraries in the ancient world books pics download new. In less than 150 pages, lionel casson has written a history of libraries of the ancient world that is captivating to read.
Its interesting to compare the greek and roman libraries. Lionel casson explores the royal libraries of the ancient near east, the private and public libraries of greece and rome, and the first christian monastic libraries. Libraries that have shaped the world we now know of and the civilizations that have walked the earth, each contributing to humanitys progress. Beautiful libraries around the world every booklover should. With news this week of the discovery of what could be the earliest known siddur, a jewish prayer book dated at around 840 ad we have put together a list of 10 of the oldest known surviving books in the world today. Michael dirda, washington post book world a wonderful book for those who love libraries and the books within.
Libraries in the ancient world is the most recent rendering of the history of libraries from the development of writing in the ancient near east at the end of the fourth millennium b. If you would like to subscribe, please send us an email to email protected. History magazine cassons book is not limited to where and when important libraries existed, it offers a social history transcending the idea of a library as we know it. Mar 23, 2012 paper was known to the chinese at a very early date, but the ancient chinese book is a phase of the subject yet to be investigated. A world history, author james campbell and photographer will pryce survey the worlds libraries, from the expansive new national library of china to the tripitaka koreana, which was built in 1251 in south korea and is one of the oldest intact libraries in the world. When dried and smoothed, they were written on in ink always by hand. May 08, 2017 for book lovers around the world, secret libraries hold the promise of mysteries and hidden knowledge.
It is not known what books nor the number of books that were included in the library. Jan, 2018 long ago, there were many magnificent ancient libraries filled with priceless books and scrolls. This book tells the story of ancient libraries from their very beginnings, when books were clay tablets and writing was a new phenomenon. Bbc culture the ancient library where the books are. The book indirectly raises issues about the contemporary library as a.
There is no evidence as to how many books the library harbored although it is estimated that it could have accommodated 3000 scrolls. Most of the chapters are about the libraries of the classical world from the library of aristotle to the library of alexandria to the libraries of rome to the libraries of the far parts of the empire. The destruction of the ancient library of alexandria still prompts a sob from book lovers today. There were several ancient libraries across the world that are now gone, but should not be forgotten. Jun 12, 2017 libraries that have shaped the world we now know of and the civilizations that have walked the earth, each contributing to humanitys progress. The books served as a natural draw for the middle easts top scholars, who. Feb 21, 2018 libraries in the ancient world by lionel casson libraries in the ancient world by lionel casson is the book that details inclusive study of libraries in the ancient world and provides the origination of the libraries to its founding and development starting in the western world from the ancient near east to the early byzantine period. Recent explorations have added a most astonishing store of knowledge regarding the ancient world and there is little obscurity now regarding the existence and constitution of the libraries of the classic orient. Consisted of separate libraries founded in the time of augustus near the roman forum that contained both greek and latin texts, separately housed, as was the conventional practice. The history of libraries began with the first efforts to organize collections of documents. Commissioned by tiberius julius aquila in honor of his father in ad 114, the temple of knowledge is built in ephesus, turkey. Buy libraries in the ancient world book online at low prices.
Lionel casson offers a delightful pilgrimage back to the earliest libraries, to the bright beginnings of recorded human intellect. The collection once included 12,000 scrolls, making it the thirdlargest library in classical antiquity. We also sell books on various subjects such as linguistics, philosophy, history and politics. Beyond the great libraries of alexandria and pergamon, many local libraries began to emerge during this time period in greece, roman, and elsewhere. This alone will make the book very attractive to a readership. Accounts in antiquity state that the library formed part of the later library of alexandria in egypt. Writing and literature are thought to have been first developed between the 7th and 4th millenium bc. Libraries in the ancient world contains a not too surprising round of historical libraries, including of course the palace of ashurbanipal and the library of alexandria, but nonetheless i found it interesting to read about exactly who libraries were for and how they worked in various societies. The idea of the library in the ancient world takes the reader not just to alexandria, the. In fact, its home to many ancient texts such as the book of kells, the book of durrow and the book of howth. The library was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world, but details about it are a mixture of history and legend.
The ancient library where the books are under lock and key. Libraries in the ancient world 2002 edition open library. Jul 23, 2019 libraries were a feature of larger cities across the ancient world with famous examples being those at alexandria, athens, constantinople, ephesus, and nineveh. Libraries began to offer more than just books in the roman period, with. Libraries in the ancient world ancient history encyclopedia.
Libraries in the ancient world book by lionel casson. 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. Bbc culture the ancient library where the books are under. The earliest known surviving source of information on the founding of the library of alexandria is the pseudepigraphic letter of aristeas, which was composed between c. Rarely ever lending libraries, they were typically designed for visiting scholars to study and copy whatever they were most interested in. Legend says that upon seeing the library of ashurbanipal, alexander the great was inspired to create a library that combined all the works of the nations he conquered and translate them into greek. Jul 24, 20 for the last couple years, jill harness has been rounding up the world s most beautiful libraries by continent. Lionel casson this book tells the story of ancient libraries from their very beginnings, when books. Lionel casson offers a delightful pilgrimage back to the earliest libraries, to the bright beginnings of. There were libraries in the porticus octaviae near the theatre of marcellus, in the temple of apollo palatinus, and in the bibliotheca ulpia in the forum of trajan. The library of alexandria, in egypt, was the largest and most significant great library of the ancient world. Libraries in the ancient world by lionel casson librarything.
Here are 10 of the most mysterious, legendary, and. This book provides a great look at the original mission of the library and presents great light on the role of various libraries throughout the ancient world. 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. This latest work by the classicist lionel casson is both compelling and accessible and. In earliest times there was no distinction between a record room or archive and a library, and in this sense libraries can be said to have existed for almost as long as records have been kept. 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.
Excavations at both rome and herculaneum have revealed what were undoubtedly library rooms in. This is part in bbc cultures series taking a look at incredible libraries from around the world. The story of ancient libraries from their very beginnings, when books were clay tablets and writing was a new phenomenon. Idea of the library in the ancient world oxford scholarship. The letter of aristeas claims that the library was founded. The bookloving ashurbanipal compiled much of his library by. We send out a monthly email newsletter announcing the new arrival of books at our online store.
In this top list we take a closer look at some of the. This, according to the author travel in the ancient world. Indeed, it became highly fashionable to own a library, judging from the strictures of the moralizing statesman seneca and the spiteful jibes by the poet lucian on the uncultured book clown. Libraries in the ancient world by lionel casson, 2002, yale university press edition, in english. The library of celsus is one of the most mysterious libraries of the ancient world. If you have any interest in libraries, ancient history, or the history of information i highly recommend this book. Lets examine the wellknown libraries of alexandria, royal libraries, and libricide in china. Libraries in the ancient world yale university press. May 02, 2001 buy libraries in the ancient world book online at best prices in india on. Jun 30, 2019 beautiful libraries around the world every booklover should visit video. Ancient world books rare, used, and outofprint scholarly.
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