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From: jod@ccat.sas.upenn.edu (James J. O'Donnell)
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Subject: pigeon hole legend
To: classics@u.washington.edu
Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2000 15:27:19 -0400 (EDT)
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I was told, and others have told me they were told, that the length of a
"book" in ancient literature was determined by the size of the pigeon
holes in the cabinets of the library at Alexandria.  Some official
deciding that Homer would divide up, e.g., into about 24 rolls to fit
these holes.  Is there any ancient evidence for this notion?  If (as I
think likely) not, is there a modern mythmaker responsible for it?  

Jim O'Donnell
Classics, U. of Penn
jod@ccat.sas.upenn.edu

.