Lionel Casson: 4 books

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...

Remembered for his excesses and little else, Roman emperor Nero was passionate about technology, was a discriminating patron of the arts and a keen judge of character - and, while Rome burned, an energetic firefighter. Here, in this short-form book from award-winning historian Lionel Casson, is his surprising story.

". . . gracefully written" - The New York Times. Award-winning historian Lionel Casson paints a vivid portrait of life in ancient Rome - for slaves and emperors, soldiers and commanders alike - during the empire's greatest period, the first and second centuries A.D.

". . . gracefully written" - The New York Times. Award-winning historian Lionel Casson paints a vivid portrait of the people of ancient Egypt - from peasants and pharaohs to soldiers and scribes and artists and priests - and what life was like beyond the splendors and treasures that remain with us today.