HISTORY FOR 100 |
Through Greek refugee scholars and books brought home by the Roman legions as part of the spoils of war, the Romans became acquainted with Greek literature.
Eventually, these books found their way into the private collections of Roman citizens who maintained libraries in their villas. It was Julius Caesar who, during the golden age of Latin literature (70 B.C. - 14 A.D.), first planned to establish a public library. Unfortunately, he was not able to accomplish his goal. However, his close friend Asinius Pollio did become "the first to make men's talents public property".
Following Pollio's example, subsequent Roman emperors established additional public libraries. By the fourth century A.D., at least 28 public libraries were in existence in Rome.