I suppose that within the Roman army literacy and numeracy might have been more common than within the general population, as it would have been necessary for the transmission of orders and other important information.
Thanks once again for sharing your insights about matters Roman.
This was a particularly enjoyable article: Lots of evidence, delivering a good general understanding. Plus discussion (and pictures!) of waxed tablets, which are one of my favorite things that I learned about in my years doing medieval reenactment.
James, you really do need to see the movie Caligula: The Ultimate Cut. It is an experience not to be missed. I could tell you about it (and I will if you give me but the slightest encouragement ;) but that would ruin the fun.
Mixed into the farrago are a few amazing nuggets of actual historical knowledge. At one point, the 'Imperial Chancellor of the Exchequer', one Longinus, is taking down instructions from Caligula on a large set of waxed tablets with a stylus! Whoever conceived that scene back in 1976 or so probably had seen waxed tablets in some museum, but had only read about the stylus because Longinus' was two feet long and he was holding it by the far tip.
The Ultimate Cut was released in 2023, a new movie made from recently re-discovered original footage that was not used in the 1979 movie. It contains no film from the first release (nor the hard-core porn that Guccione cut into the movie). The filmmakers assert that it's much closer to Gore Vidal's script.
It still says a lot more about Guccione than it does about Caligula, but you might recognize hints of history from time to time.
Great article - really interesting!
I suppose that within the Roman army literacy and numeracy might have been more common than within the general population, as it would have been necessary for the transmission of orders and other important information.
Thanks once again for sharing your insights about matters Roman.
Officers would almost certainly be educated, as most of the senior ones were either equestrian or senatorial rank.
Thanks - yes, Centurions too I would imagine, as they would at least need to know how to read a map.
You've raised an interesting point there, because would they actually have had what we now call 'maps'?
That sounds like an idea for a new article!
I look forward to reading it!
This was a particularly enjoyable article: Lots of evidence, delivering a good general understanding. Plus discussion (and pictures!) of waxed tablets, which are one of my favorite things that I learned about in my years doing medieval reenactment.
Thank you! I'm delighted that you enjoyed it.
In case you're interested: My waxed tablets.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/whcYLRWMLMVDcuRGA
Oh wow, those are so cool!
James, you really do need to see the movie Caligula: The Ultimate Cut. It is an experience not to be missed. I could tell you about it (and I will if you give me but the slightest encouragement ;) but that would ruin the fun.
Mixed into the farrago are a few amazing nuggets of actual historical knowledge. At one point, the 'Imperial Chancellor of the Exchequer', one Longinus, is taking down instructions from Caligula on a large set of waxed tablets with a stylus! Whoever conceived that scene back in 1976 or so probably had seen waxed tablets in some museum, but had only read about the stylus because Longinus' was two feet long and he was holding it by the far tip.
I saw it many years ago when it was first released on DVD. I don't remember much about it, though. I should probably watch it again!
The Ultimate Cut was released in 2023, a new movie made from recently re-discovered original footage that was not used in the 1979 movie. It contains no film from the first release (nor the hard-core porn that Guccione cut into the movie). The filmmakers assert that it's much closer to Gore Vidal's script.
It still says a lot more about Guccione than it does about Caligula, but you might recognize hints of history from time to time.
Not only are they cool, I liked what you wrote on them.😉
Is that the correct reference in Martial? On searching, I can only find that number referring to Cicero on parchment.
Martial 9.68?
https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/martial/mart9.shtml#68
"Quid tibi nobiscum est, ludi scelerate magister,
invisum pueris virginibusque caput?
nondum cristati rupere silentia galli:
murmure iam saevo verberibusque tonas.
tam grave percussis incudibus aera resultant,
causidicum medio cum faber aptat equo:
mitior in magno clamor furit amphitheatro,
vincenti parmae cum sua turba favet.
vicini somnum - non tota nocte - rogamus:
nam vigilare leve est, pervigilare grave est.
discipulos dimitte tuos. Vis, garrule, quantum
accipis ut clames, accipere ut taceas?"
"What business do you have with us, wicked schoolmaster,
you hateful scourge of boys and girls?
Not yet have the crested cocks broken the silence,
but already you roar with savage muttering and blows.
The bronze rings as harshly as when struck on anvils,
as a smith fits a lawyer’s horse with a shoe.
Gentler is the uproar in the great amphitheatre,
when the crowd cheers their favourite shield-fighter’s victory.
We ask for sleep—not the whole night—just a little:
for staying awake is light, but staying awake all night is heavy.
Dismiss your students. Would you, chatterbox, be willing
to take as much to keep quiet as you take to shout?"
(Via an online translator - I've been at Suetonius all day and now my brain has gone to mush!)
I must have made a mistake in searching. Thank you.
I remember that verse now. Interesting that Martial mentioned the girls as well.
The last line is something we'd still say today; my mother once gave a mariachi band money to go away at breakfast in a Mexican resort!
Looking forward to your take on Suetonius, so I hope the brain mush firms up. Hot gossip is good even when it's nearly 2,000 years old.