ARTH 110 Written lang Anc Rome

Summary

This educational video explores the evolution of alphabets and their impact on written language, with a focus on Ancient Rome. It discusses how inscriptions on city monuments served political purposes, reinforcing the emperor's power. The video also delves into unofficial written text, such as graffiti, showcasing the contrast between official and personal written communication. It highlights the significance of public spaces and monuments like the Coliseum and Circus Maximus, and the use of inscriptions to honor emperors and convey power dynamics. The discussion includes the physical aspects of inscriptions, the use of chisels, and the emergence of Trajan font, which influenced modern typography. The video concludes with a look at literacy rates and the unofficial voice of the people through graffiti, providing a comprehensive view of written language in ancient Rome.

Takeaways

• 📜 The alphabet's roots can be traced back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, with the Phoenicians playing a key role in its spread via the Mediterranean trade routes.
• 🏛 In Ancient Rome, written inscriptions on city monuments served a significant political function, reinforcing the power of the emperor and the continuity of imperial authority.
• 🗿 The obelisk in Rome, brought from Egypt, exemplifies how inscriptions were used to commemorate Augustus's power and divinity, marking the beginning of Rome's first emperor.
• 🏟️ The Circus Maximus and other public spaces were as important as the monuments themselves, symbolizing the connection between official public space and the emperor's power.
• 📝 The Trajan's Column, with its narrative scenes, chronicles the emperor's military victories and sits on a base inscribed with details about its construction and purpose.
• 🔠 Roman inscriptions were always in capital letters, a style known as 'majuscule,' which was carved using various chisels to create a permanent and official impression on stone.
• 📰 The presence and pattern of inscriptions were more about asserting power than legibility, as they were a constant visual reminder of the emperor's authority in public spaces.
• 🖋️ The style of lettering used in Roman inscriptions has influenced modern typography, such as the 'Trajan' font, which is characterized by its serifs and all-caps design.
• 📝 Despite the use of inscriptions, literacy rates in ancient Rome were likely low, with public education nonexistent and a significant portion of the population being slaves.
• 🏷️ Graffiti in ancient Rome, like the 'Alexamenos graffito,' served as an unofficial and personal form of communication, allowing ordinary people to express their opinions and challenge authority.

Q & A

What is the significance of alphabets in ancient Rome and how did they impact written language?

In ancient Rome, alphabets played a crucial role in written language, particularly in the form of inscriptions on city monuments. These inscriptions served as a political tool to reinforce the power of the emperor and were part of the official public space. They also facilitated the spread of ideas and the alphabet itself through trade routes.

How did the Mediterranean Sea contribute to the spread of alphabets?

The Mediterranean Sea acted as a 'super highway' for the spread of ideas, people, and alphabets. It facilitated the exchange of cultural elements, including the concept of alphabets, from one region to another, particularly from the Phoenicians to other parts of the Mediterranean.

What is the role of the Coliseum in ancient Rome and how does it relate to written inscriptions?

The Coliseum was a large arena in ancient Rome where gladiatorial contests took place. It was one of the city's most recognizable monuments. While the script does not detail specific inscriptions on the Coliseum, it emphasizes the importance of monuments and their surrounding spaces in reinforcing the emperor's power, suggesting that inscriptions would have been present to serve this purpose.

What is the significance of the obelisk in the city of Rome and its inscription?

The obelisk in Rome, originally from Egypt, was a symbol of Augustus's power and his divine status. The inscription on its base in Latin detailed Augustus's conquests and his divine nature, reinforcing the idea of the emperor's authority and the continuity of power from one emperor to the next.

How did the inscriptions on Roman monuments function as a political tool?

Roman monument inscriptions functioned as a political tool by commemorating the achievements of emperors and reinforcing the idea of a continuous line of power. They were a public display of the emperor's authority and often included phrases like 'senatus populusque Romanus' (the Senate and people of Rome), indicating that the monument was erected in honor of a past emperor by a current one.

What is the term for the style of lettering used in Roman inscriptions and why was it used?

The term for the style of lettering used in Roman inscriptions is 'majuscule'. It was used because it was an official and formal way of communication. The letters were always in capital letters, which was a way to make the inscriptions more permanent and visible, even if they were not always easily legible due to the lack of spaces between words.

How did the physical aspects of Roman inscriptions contribute to their impact?

The physical aspects of Roman inscriptions, such as being carved in stone with chisels, contributed to their permanence and visibility. The use of all capital letters and serifs at the end of the letters was a result of the tools used, which also gave the inscriptions a formal and official appearance.

What is the connection between Roman inscriptions and modern typography?

The connection between Roman inscriptions and modern typography is seen in fonts like Trajan and Times New Roman, which are inspired by the formal and official lettering styles of Roman inscriptions. These fonts maintain the all-caps style and serifs, reflecting the association with authority and formality.

What was the literacy rate in ancient Rome and how did it affect the use of inscriptions?

The exact literacy rate in ancient Rome is uncertain, with estimates ranging from 15 to 20 percent. Despite this, inscriptions were used by those in power to remind people of the emperor's authority, not necessarily because the entire population could read them word for word, but to reinforce the power structure through their presence.

How did unofficial written text, such as graffiti, emerge in ancient Rome and what was its purpose?

Unofficial written text, or graffiti, emerged in ancient Rome as a form of personal expression and a way to speak truth to power. It was a means for regular people to communicate, often in a critical or mocking tone, and was distinct from the official inscriptions that were part of the city's monuments and public spaces.