Ancient libraries were important centers of knowledge and learning in various civilizations. The most famous of these was the Library of Alexandria in Egypt, which housed thousands of scrolls and attracted scholars from around the Mediterranean. These libraries preserved texts on subjects like philosophy, science, and literature, playing a crucial role in the development of human thought. Other notable ancient libraries included the Library of Nineveh in Assyria and the Library of Pergamum in Asia Minor. These institutions not only collected works but also facilitated the copying and translation of texts, ensuring that knowledge was shared and passed down through generations.