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.