Most of the works were copies to begin with - the loss of the Library of Alexandria is a loss of a possible source of transmission for literally hundreds of thousands of ancient texts. Considering how many priceless pieces of literature have survived by only a single copy, mourning the (multiple) burnings of the Great Library is far from mourning a nonissue.
Most of the works were copies to begin with - the loss of the Library of Alexandria is a loss of a possible source of transmission for literally hundreds of thousands of ancient texts. Considering how many priceless pieces of literature have survived by only a single copy, mourning the (multiple) burnings of the Great Library is far from mourning a nonissue.