i Roman Libraries during the Late Republic and Early Empire: With Special Reference to the Library of Pliny the Elder

ii This thesis considers the history and development of Roman libraries from the Late Republic through to the 2 nd Century AD. It will begin by examining evidence suggesting that libraries existed in Rome prior to the often-cited date of 168 BC, and then look at the steady development of private libraries through the last century of the Republic. It will discuss how these private libraries led to the creation and development of the first public libraries in the early Imperial era. As some scholars have suggested that these public libraries were of little significance, the thesis will analyse their arguments and assess the value of the Imperial libraries and how important they were, particularly to the writers of Rome. The development of private libraries in the first two centuries of the Empire, particularly those of the Imperial households, will be examined with a view to showing that they were innovative in design and reflected developments in the public libraries. There will subsequently be a particular focus on one writer of the 1 st Century AD, Pliny the Elder, and by considering his sources for the Natural History and how he used them, conclusions will be drawn about the use he made both of his own library and of other resources available to him. The thesis will conclude by conducting a survey of Roman libraries according to methodologies used in modern libraries and discussing how the Romans dealt with various issues which modern libraries also face