Littera Scripta Manet: Latin Terms and Writing

The Romans wrote upon a variety of materials - papyrus, parchment, wax tablets, bound codices, even lead sheets upon which curses were inscribed.

Let’s learn some of the Latin terminology associated with writing. First, use these web sites from LacusCurtius to locate and define the following Latin terms:

Terms: Web Sites:

Calamus The Roman Book

Atramentum Ink

Stilus Tabulae (wax tablets)

Codex The Stilus

Palimpsestus Capsa

Membrana

Charta

Volumen

Titulus

Capsa

Now, create a chart with the following headings:

Wax Tablets Codices Papyus Texts Parchment Texts

Place each term beneath any heading which seems an appropriate category. Which terms fit beneath more than one category? How do these terms relate to contemporary writing tools?

Now, test you knowledge of these Latin terms by taking the on-line quiz. Click here for the quiz.