Asinius Pollio – creator of first public library in Rome

Gaius Asinius Pollio (ca. 76 BCE – ca. 4 CE) was a Roman military officer, politician, supporter of Julius Caesar, and writer. Pollio’s greatest achievement was founding the first public library in Rome – the Atrium Libertatis (“Temple of Liberty”) in the Forum Romanum. Thanks to this building, works of Greek and Latin literature became more accessible. Pollio combined the library with an art gallery, making it a place with a multi-faceted cultural character. His actions initiated the tradition of creating public libraries in the empire.

The building in question had two wings, one dedicated to Latin works; second – Greek. Moreover, the facility was decorated with statues of heroes.

Pollio was also the author of numerous works: speeches, letters, poems and, for example, longer works, such as “Historiae”, a work about the civil wars in 62-40 BCE. Unfortunately, the “Historiae” has been preserved fragmentarily, thanks to Appian of Alexandria and Plutarch. Pollio was also a patron of art and was friends with, among others, Virgil or Horace, supporting authors in their creative work. The doors of his house were always open to representatives of culture.

Pollio was also involved politically and militarily. He took an active part in the civil war on Caesar’s side. After his death, he associated himself with Mark Antony’s camp but tried not to get involved in further political disputes.