Introduction : the idea of the library -- Origins : the diachronic perspective. The birth of a library ; Library catalogues : from literary description to literary self-description -- Forms of the library. The breathing library : performing cultural memories ; The library (as) book : the fantasy of the total text ; The library of universal history : Diodorus Siculus and literary cosmopolitanism -- Memories. Inside and outside the library : the memory of canon -- Physicalities. Picture libraries : statues among the books ; The sociality of the ancient library.