The history of tachygraphic writing in classical and post-classical antiquity remains still, to a certain degree, involved in obscurity, so that many problems still present themselves for final solution. What is the significance of the fact that while we have complete and certain knowledge of the Roman system, the notae Tironianae, the very existence of a corresponding Greek system is with difficulty proved? Were there three distinct systems of Greek shorthand, or only one in successive phases? How were they related to the ‘Tironian’? Are there any elements of method or of form which are common to all the ‘systems’ of antiqtiity known to us? In what degree was the Greek a genuine tachygraphy, i.e. a means of writing at a much greater speed than in the common hand? Or was it only a method of secret writing, or to economise space and labour?