BIBLICAL LIBRARIES
most interesting detail of this library, which, though somewhat restored after the fire of Commodus remained otherwise intact until 1632. According to Lanciani, Pavino described the hall as lighted by fifteen large windows, three of which are still visible in the Church of St. Cosmo and Damian, which now includes it. "The walls are divided into three longitudinal bands by finely cut cornices. The upper band was occupied by the windows as in our old churches, the lower was simply lined with marble slabs covered by the bookcases and screens which contained papers, and records and maps" (all of which of course have just the same form as any other "books" of the time) ... the middle one was encrusted with tarsia work of the rarest kinds of marble with panels of allegorical scenes. This building was one of the chief libraries of Rome in 180 A.D. and contained a library until the third century at least.
