cinzia8

My first response is that writing in ancient times, even letters, was always intended for an audience of more than a few people. The only writing I can think of that approaches journal writing with references to private topics: moods, culpability, remorse, self-questioning, trivia of daily life, is the Confessions of St. Augustine, on the eve of the medieval period. I'm sure others will have sources for you. "Dear Diary, It's nine o'clock, the children are fast asleep, and I'm going over these latest accounts from Trajan's Market before I hit the sack." Ancient people didn't conceive of their world or of themselves in this way. I have a character who wants to journal, but I strive for time period authenticity. I think that the desire to reflect in the written word must have always existed. Perhaps it was done in a way unfamiliar to the modern eye, or just never has been discovered, which won't help my research. I imagine my heroine could write letters to someone close to her, like a confessor friend. I also wonder if she was to write letters to herself or a close friend, would it best be done on pieces of papyrus, parchment or in a codex? Any thoughts??

Hello all: Does anyone know how keeping a journal was viewed in 450 CE, or if this was something even done, but maybe expressed differently? Would a Roman in this time expressed aspects of daily life in a "Codex" or just on papyrus or parchment? Cinzia

Sure, if there's a lot of people in that Facebook group. I think you said there are 79 people. Sounds like a village, but it's a start. There's bound to be some "elders" among them. I want to know how keeping a journal was viewed in 450 CE, or if this was something even done, but maybe expressed differently. Would a Roman in this time express aspects of daily life in a "Codex" or just on papyrus or parchment? Also, I've noticed that I'm a servi and a Tiro. Are these terms related to slavery? In Saylor's book ROMAN BLOOD, he has a slave who is Cicero's legal assistant named Tiro.

So far, we're up to 79 members. But hopefully we'll get more. Gotta popularize Late Roman History! I just joined here and on Facebook-Late Antiquity. Can research questions be asked on the Facebook page?