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2 results

The Scribes of Rome
  • A Cultural and Social History of the Scribae
  • Benjamin Hartmann
  • Published online:
    22 September 2020
    Print publication:
    17 September 2020
  • In a society in which only a fraction of the population was literate and numerate, being one of the few specialists in reading, writing and reckoning meant the possession of an invaluable asset. The fact that the Roman state heavily relied on these professional scribes in financial and legal administration led to their holding a unique position and status. By gathering and analysing the available source material on the Roman scribae, Benjamin Hartmann traces the history of Rome's public scribes from the early Republic to the Later Roman Empire. He tells the story of men of low social origin, who, by means of their specialised knowledge, found themselves at the heart of the Roman polity, in close proximity to the powerful and responsible for the written arcana of the state – a story of knowledge and power, corruption and contested social mobility.

  • 2 - The Human Archive

  • Benjamin Hartmann, Universität Zürich
  • Book:
    The Scribes of Rome
    Published online:
    22 September 2020
    Print publication:
    17 September 2020, pp 13-60

  • Summary

    The chapter explores the role of literacy and subsequently the role of a literate expert in the Roman state and society. It traces Roman education in general and scribal education in particular, analyses attitudes towards literacy and literate professionals, and outlines Roman literate practice. In a thorough review of extant sources, the chapter reconstructs Roman archival history and practice and highlights the appertaining material culture. It portrays the Roman scribae as guardians and administrators of this Roman documentary culture and exemplifies their public role as its experts.