But after all these things were done, a true public library for Rome had not yet been established. The thought of such an institution was first conceived by the great and glorious Julius Caesar, and would by him have been carried to its conclusion had not the fates forbidden. Suetonius says, “He planned to open to the public libraries formed of as many books in the Greek and Latin languages as he could bring together, and to give to Marcus Varro the duty of organizing and managing them.” This was truly the plan of a generous spirit, and of a wise one also; for who in all the world was better fitted than Varro, most learned in Greek and Roman letters, to carry out such a scheme? But Caesar was not destined to realize his thought. Augustus, his adopted son, added a library to the other adornments and glories he gave to the city. At his suggestion and inspired by him, Asinius Pollio, orator, senator, and noble, erected a temple of liberty, so Suetonius says, and placed in it a library which he made free to all. Isidore says, “Pollio was the first to establish a public library in Rome, one composed of books in Greek and in Latin, and decorated with busts of famous authors. He placed it in the public hall, which he magnificently adorned with the spoils of war.” “Spoils of war” refers to those taken from the Dalmatians, whom he had just conquered. Pliny remarks that Asinius Pollio was the first to establish a library which made free to all the wisdom of all. It seems plain from these writers that this library was in the Hall of Liberty, on the Aventine Hill. I think it was rather rearranged or reconstructed for the library than built especially for it. It had been in existence a long time before Pollio’s day. Plutarch and other writers say that it dated from the time of Tiberius Gracchus, father of the Gracchi. Pollio, it would seem, refitted it and dedicated it to this glorious use. Ovid’s words should be noted here, for he says,--his book, _Tristia_, is supposed to be speaking,--“Liberty did not permit me to enter her hall; that hall in which were first opened to the public the books of the wise.” I do not think the words he uses in these lines have reference, as some think, to a gathering of poets. The book--for, as I have said, it is a book which Ovid’s verse makes us suppose is speaking--frankly complains that it was not received into the library of Asinius, that library which was the first to open to public use the writings of learned men. CHAPTER VI _The Libraries of Augustus, the Octavian and the Palatine. Their Librarians and Custodians._