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What role did the Bibliotheca Ulpia serve in ancient Rome?

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British Museum: Reading Room — library Reading Room of the British Museum, designed by Sidney Smirke in collaboration with Anthony Panizzi and built in the 1850s. Illustration by Smirke, from the *Illustrated London News*, 1857.

The Bibliotheca Ulpia was a significant public library established in ancient Rome by the emperor Trajan around 100 CE. Beyond its function as a library, it served as the Public Record Office of Rome. It remained in operation until the 5th century. The library was situated within the complex of Trajan’s Forum, a grand architectural project designed by Apollodorus of Damascus that also featured the Basilica Ulpia and Trajan’s Column.12