In Ancient Times, libraries were crucial keepers of knowledge and manuscripts, playing a vital role in the preservation and dissemination of information in different civilizations. This article highlights five key libraries in the ancient world.

 

 

1) Library of Alexandria 

 

The Library of Alexandria was one of the most famous and prestigious libraries in the ancient world. Founded in the 3rd Century BC in Alexandria, Egypt, it became a prominent space for learning and knowledge conservation during the Hellenistic age.

It is believed to have been established by Ptolemy II Philadelphus around 283 BC. It hosted a vast collection of manuscripts from different cultures and regions around the world. Its main purpose was to gather human wisdom and knowledge under one roof.

This grand temple of knowledge became an intellectual beacon, attracting scholars, scientists, and philosophers from the Mediterranean world. Influential figures such as Euclid and Archimedes contributed to the library's accumulated knowledge.

Unfortunately, the library suffered various instances of damage over the centuries. There is no clear consensus on its eventual decline's exact date and circumstances. Events such as fire and conflicts may have contributed to its gradual loss. Despite its fall, the Great Library of Alexandria remains an iconic symbol of ancient scholarship and a reminder of the importance of preserving knowledge for future generations.

 

 

 

The Library of Pergamon was established in the city of Pergamon (also Pergamum) by the Attalid King Eumenes II of the Attalid dynasty, who ruled Pergamon from 281 to 133 BC. The library became a well-respected learning center, rivaling the Library of Alexandria in Egypt.

The Attalid dynasty came from modest origins but patronized the arts and letters. Eumenes II, especially, held literature and learning in high regard and built the library as an annex to his Temple of Athena on the Acropolis of Pergamon. The library is estimated to have held 200,000 books, most written on parchment. The high demand for writing material encouraged parchment production in the city, and Pergamon became the leading supplier during the Roman Period. Hence, the word "parchment," as it is known today, derives from the Latin pergamenum, referring to the city of Pergamon. 

The library was damaged along with the rest of the city in an earthquake in 262, but evidence suggests it was still in operation during the early years of the Byzantine Empire. The library's final fate is unknown, but most likely, the collection was removed by the librarians and other scholars before the city was finally abandoned sometime after 1300.

 

 

 

The Library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh (the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, now part of the territory of Iraq) was created by King Sargon II, who ruled from 722 to 705 BC. It was later expanded by King Ashurbanipal (669-627 BC). According to current historical records, it is estimated to have been the first—or one of the first—libraries in the world.

It housed an extensive collection of clay tablets carved with fine writing and pressed together on both sides. Up to 22,000 tablets were discovered beneath debris at the royal palace at Nineveh.  

It represented the most comprehensive collection of cuneiform writing ever known. It was a cultural legacy left by King Ashurbanipal, who, according to historical records, had a great interest in the knowledge and science of the Mesopotamian region. He ordered the search and confiscation of as many tablets as possible, especially in Babylon.  

 

 

 

Located in modern-day Turkey, Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite Empire. The library, founded in the 17th century BC, housed clay tablets that provided information about the Hittite culture.

The discovery of its ruins in the early 20th century represented a significant archaeological finding that shed light on the Hittite civilization, which flourished between the 17th and 12th centuries BC. The clay tablets found at the site provided valuable information on this ancient empire's language, religion, and history, allowing researchers to acquire knowledge about its society and government. One example is the international peace treaty detailing the agreement terms between the Hittites and the Egyptians years after the battle of Kadesh.

While the Library of Hattusa was no rival to other famous libraries of the Ancient World, it stands out for its historical significance and contribution to understanding Hittite culture. 

 

 

 

Discovered in the 1970s in the ancient city of Ebla (located in present-day Syria), the library was named after the city and represents a priceless archaeological treasure highlighting one of the earliest civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia. Dating back to the third millennium BC, the Library of Ebla hosted a variety of clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform text covering different topics. The tablets have allowed researchers to uncover key elements of Ebla’s political and social history, including its administrative system, trade, and relations with other city-states in the region. Moreover, the literary texts found in the library offer a unique insight into the literature and poetry of the period, enriching our understanding of Eblaite culture and its legacy. According to different sources, it may be the first library in the history of humankind.