The ancient Greek and Roman civilisations boasted numerous writers, poets and historians, who left us an impressive intellectual heritage. But were common people literate as well in classical times, or were they relying on a body of professional scribes? After a brief explanation about the role of orality and the meaning of literacy in ancient times, the essay will examine some possible evidences of literacy from the ‘epigraphic habit’ in classical antiquity – as epistolary exchanges (Vindolanda Tablets), inscriptions on artefacts (ostraka, lady’s shoe from Vindolanda, the ‘Nestor Cup’), epitaphs and dedications on monuments (the Pantheon in Rome, the tomb of Eurysaces the Bakker) and several graffiti. It will be shown that some elements, depending on their interpretation, might substantiate the claim that most people were illiterate and relying on professional scribes – but other elements strongly confirm a widespread basic level of literacy. The essay will finally argue that, beyond the literate wealthy elite, there was a large part of the population that was semi-literate, able to interact with writings to some extent.
Literacy is basically defined as ‘the ability to read and write’ (Colins, 2003). In classical times, there was obviously an educated elite using writing to a large extent, for communication, political and artistic purposes: numerous works of high literary quality are part of our classical heritage. However, this does not imply that literacy was common among the population: a small group of scribes could be sufficient to serve the needs of an ancient society. For sure, lay people did not master writing to the level of famous ancient authors, but might have been literate to a certain extent. Therefore, it is better...
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... or craftsmen’s marks on products indicate that common people had some reading knowledge. Moreover, graffiti were quite common: for instance, the slogans written on the walls in Rome, according to Plutarch, in support of Tiberius Gracchus and his social reforms were certainly not written by the wealthy elite. Finally, epistolary exchanges, as Claudia Severa’s invitation to her birthday (among Vindolanda Tablets) confirm that a relative important part of the population was able to read and write missives – even if they might have relied on scribes for long texts. Therefore, the essay reached the conclusion that there was a continuum of literacy levels, with individuals only able to write their names, slow writers and real literate people. It can thus be said that, besides the social elite, a significant part of the population had a basic level of functional literacy.
With the lack of written language at the time, art and speech was the best way to communicate and share ideas in ancient Rome and Greece. Mosaics, fresco, wall and vase paintings, especially in the house of nobles, was a regularity in homes. The constant purchase of art could be accredited to the people love of the gods. This is a perfect example of how language was so important to the growth of ancient civilizations such as Greece. Do to the lasting poverty in this culture; intrinsic pictorial art wasn’t something seen everyday by all. Many of those less fortune relied on language to pass traditions, educating the young. In regards to entertainment, style played an important role in attracting the eyes of
Pliny the Elder. [Natural History 9.39.77. As The Romans Did 2nd ed.] ed. Jo-Ann Shelton. (New
Riggsby, A. M. (n.d.). Cicero Texts. Retrieved March 13, 2011, from University of Texas Classics Department: http://www.utexas.edu/depts/classics/documents/Cic.html
Being literate does not only mean that you understand to read and write. I believe that it’s a way you take advantage of what is given to you. Having the power to understand and acknowledge what is being said and read gives and great advantage of literacy. Graduating with honors from my senior class has given me greater self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment .Now being literate has given me great opportunities such as coming to college and given hope that we can do anything in this world
Although both Roman and Greek civilizations shared similarities in the areas of art and literature, their differences were many and prominent. Their contrasting aspects rest mainly upon political systems and engineering progress, but there are also several small discrepancies that distinguish between these two societies. This essay will examine these differences and explain why, ultimately, Rome was the more advanced civilization of the two.
Jo-Ann Shelton states in the preface of her book, “It is the purpose of this book to allow the ancient Romans to step forward and talk to us about themselves,” (1998, p. xxiii). She clearly believes that each individual in history has an impact on its course. While she acknowledges the bias of preservation has destroyed many letters, documents, and inscriptions she uses what is available to show readers what life was like for different individuals. Some of these sources come...
Tacitus. The Annals of Tacitus. Edited and annotated by Henry Furneaux. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1907.
In “In Defense of Literacy,” Wendell Berry explains literacy is a requirement, not an embellishment. Literacy is more than the ability to just read and write; it's also the ability to understand what a person is reading and make sense in what a person is writing. While some people may think that achieving literacy requires hard work and gets little outcome, I think that literacy makes people more ambitious, confident, more attentive, and more prosperous in life than those who are not literate. Joining in on conversations and voicing ones philosophies is easier if people are literate and educated, and people feel worthy of themselves when they have the ability to do so. People are more determined in life, whether it is with their professions
What is literacy? Literacy is the ability to read and write. It is about a person’s ability to use these skills to shape their life. Being literate means to be able to write and read to talk effectively. Today being literate is to be able to write and read to be successful in the world. Literacy is vital to the advancement for people in their life. It also plays a huge part in the success in one's career endeavors. Years ago literacy just referred to the ability to write, read, and use the information.
Ziolkowski, Eric. "Ancient Newcomer to Modern Culture." World Literature Today 81.5 (2007): 55-57. Web. 19 Feb. 2014. .
The ancient Greeks and Romans were perhaps two of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. These two civilizations thrived in their ancient environments which eventually led to a vast amount of prosperity within these two cultures. It is because of this prosperity that these ancient cultures were able to make a variety of advancements in literature, architecture, art and a variety of other fields. These two civilizations also produced some of the ancient world’s greatest writers, leaders, and philosophers. The cultures of ancient Greece and Rome made a number of contributions to western civilization in the form of advancements in literature, architecture, art, government, and philosophy.
Chandler, Fiona, Jane Bingham, and Sam Taplin. The Usborne Internet-linked Encyclopedia of the Roman World. London: Usborne, 2001. Print.
The world around us is constantly changing and technology has a lot of impact on the rapid changes. This is one of the reasons why it is hard to give a specific definition of the word literacy. Literacy can be broken down into two main subcategories: literate and illiterate. One of the main discussions with this is what qualifications or qualities separate someone who is literate from someone who is illiterate. Historians have been researching literacy for the past five decades and have been trying to come up with a fixed definition of the word. To me, literacy is a very complex word as the definition has evolved over time, but in the end it is how one excels in their discourse(s), which have changed throughout the years and helped create their
Literacy also helps you to understand the meaning behind something, and be able to either read, or ask to further determine the meaning of something. For example, when I was a little kid, my family and I visited Paris and saw the Mona Lisa. I stared at the art work and didn 't get anything from it besides a woman, until I read some excerpts about it and asked a guide to further my understanding and gather the meaning; without being literate I would have never concluded the meaning behind the Mona Lisa and never understood why it was such a
Many qualities of the Ancient Roman civilization were undoubtedly borrowed from their predecessors of the Greek culture (Bonner 1). Roman education, however, is only a reflection of the Greek education system. Ancient Roman education tactics differ from the education methods used by Ancient Greek instruction. Nevertheless, these two different approaches contain many similarities. Although the Romans made an effort to reproduce the style of education maintained by the Greeks, their attempts failed; however Rome managed to adopt many principles of Greek education in the process. This is made apparent by comparing and contrasting Greek and Roman education methods as well as the explanation of the worldly problems and expectations each culture was facing during this era.