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Loading... Libraries in the Ancient World (original 2001; edition 2002)by Lionel Casson (Author)
Work InformationLibraries in the Ancient World by Lionel Casson (2001)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. A concise survey of the history of libraries from Egypt, to Greece and to Rome, from roll to codex. Casson is storng on his discussion of the fate of Alexandria, showing some evidence of this library still active until possibl AD 300. I also found enlightening his discussion of what happened to the heirs on the death of Alexander the Great. Not a lot detail, for example, of the different Greek philosopher libraries, but, overall, definitely worth reading. ( ) A concise (150 pages) overview of the history of libraries from the earliest times through Greek, Hellenistic and Roman eras. This is a straightforward analysis which will appeal more to common readers then those with a particular expertise. I found this book highly readable, containing enough information to inform as to the subject material without going into unnecessary to detaul. Highly recommended for those with an interest in this subject.
“Libraries in the Ancient World” offers an engaging and informative brief consideration of the development of the library and writing in the ancient world. Casson has written a short, light introduction to the culture and social history of the ancient world covering those periods when education led to a desire for a greater understanding of the world, and a desire to arrange the daily workings of the current world and its knowledge in such a way that the development of libraries as a store of knowledge appears to have been the only logical development. [An] engaging book. [A] charming … narrative history of the birth (and deaths) of libraries in the ancient world. Belongs to Publisher Series
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 organizing 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 education 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 different 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. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)027.03Information Library and Information Sciences General Libraries; Reports, etc.LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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