Imperial Library of Constantinople

Chronology

  • Constantius II (337-61 CE) began the Imperial Library of Constantinople, according to Themestios writing in 367 CE.
  • The Ancient Scrolls and Works were copied by scribes into Codices made of Parchment or Vellum.
  • Julian (361-63 CE) enlarged it by adding his own Library to the Imperial Library.
  • In 372 CE Valens employed 7 copyists and their assistants, 4 to copy Greek texts and 3 to copy Latin texts.
  • In 475 CE we are told by Johannes Zonaras that the Imperial Library was damaged by fire and that it already contained 120,000 Books.
  • In 1204 CE, the Imperial Library was seriously damaged during the sack of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade.
  • 1261 CE, however, it was reconstructed in 1261 CE after Constantinople was recaptured.
  • In 1453 CE, the Library came to an end after the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople.

Lost Library of Ivan the Terrible

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