"This 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...

"The only book of its kind in any language, Travel in the Ancient World offers a comprehensive review of ancient travel, from the first recorded voyages to Old Kingdom Egypt through Greek and Roman times to the Christian pilgrimages of the fourth century and later. Lionel Casson tells who traveled and why (government business, trade, health, vacationing, tourism). He describes the ships, carts, carriages, and other means of conveyance; roads and waterways;...