Did Ancient Romans Have Any Form of Written Communication?

Mathematics, craftsmanship, art, war—many aspects of ancient Roman culture have been well-documented over time. However, one critical element often debated and misunderstood is the method and form of written communication they employed. Contrary to popular belief, the ancient Romans had a sophisticated system for written communication that included papyrus, scrolls, and more. Let's explore the details of their written language and its evolution through time.

Methods of Written Communication in Ancient Rome

The primary medium for written communication during Roman times was papyrus. Papyrus was made from the thin strips of the papyrus plant, arranged crosswise and stuck together by their own sap. The surface was then smoothed to provide a clean writing surface. Despite its fragile nature, books were often stored on scrolls rather than folded and stitched pages. To manage more extensive texts, multiple rolls were kept together in a container called a “volumen”. Each individual scroll would be unrolled and read as needed.

The calligraphy and writing tools used during this period were quite different from modern times. The writing instrument was a bronze dip pen, capable of producing elegant and durable inscriptions. For shorter, more transitory writings, wooden tablets coated with wax were used. These lightweight, portable tablets were written on with a stylus and could be smoothed out and reused repeatedly. A pair of tablets fastened together would open like a book, known as a “diploma”.

Evolution of the Roman Written Language: Latin

The written language of the ancient Romans was primarily Latin, a rich and complex system that evolved over centuries. Latin is the foundation of many modern languages, including Italian, French, and Spanish. Latin began as a dialect of Italic languages and eventually became the lingua franca of the Roman Empire. It is sometimes detailed to borrow heavily from the Greek language, incorporating many concepts and nuances.

The early version of the Latin alphabet was similar to what we use today for English. This was a significant advancement in written communication as it allowed for the precise and clear representation of words and thoughts. Despite its age, Latin has remained a critical language for scientific and legal contexts. Many scientific principles and names in biology, chemistry, and medicine still derive from Latin, showing its enduring influence. In contemporary times, Latin is often used in formal documentation, academia, and legal documents, making it a "dead language" but still valued for its clarity and historical context.

Ancient Forgeries and Modern Misconceptions

Contrary to popular belief, many of the "coins and inscriptions" often attributed to ancient Romans were in fact modern forgeries. This includes the work of famous authors like Livy, Tacitus, Cicero, Martial, Ovid, Catullus, Plutarch, Juvenal, Pliny, Caesar, Horace, Sidonius, and many others. The authenticity of these works has been challenged by scholars over time, with many being deemed Medieval forgeries.

Additionally, experts point to apprentice monumental masons practicing their craft by inscribing short inscriptions on memorials. Often, these incised texts have been mistakenly interpreted as original Roman inscriptions. The earliest known written document in existence is actually the memorial to Sir Christopher Wren in St Paul’s Cathedral, a rather contemporary example. This inscription reads 'SI MONVMENTVM REQVIRIS CIRCVMSPICE', which roughly translates to 'If you seek a monument to me, look around!'

Conclusion

In summary, while modern misconceptions often portray the ancient Romans as unschooled in written communication, evidence and historical records clearly demonstrate that they had a sophisticated and deeply developed system for written language and documentation. Their use of papyrus, scrolls, and written tablets, along with the enduring importance of Latin, highlight the sophistication and longevity of Rome's written traditions. Despite modern misinterpretations, the legacy of Roman written communication is as rich and complex as their cultural achievements.

Additional Resources

For further exploration of ancient Roman written communication and Latin language, consider reviewing works by renowned scholars such as The Cambridge History of Classical Literature or Oxford Studies in Latin Literature and Language.