In ancient Rome, elite men competed intensely in verbal arts. They evaluated each other at the fine granularity of phrases and specific word choices. [1] Epigrams, compact verbal expressions, were highly valued. In these circumstances, a Roman orator c. 100 GC described his business strategy for a speech that he hoped to sell widely: I … Continue reading bundling verbal work in ancient Rome
Most ancient Greek inscriptions, including most funerary epitaphs, are prosaic. Patrons seem to have written the inscriptions that they themselves wanted. … Read the post ancient Greek inscriptions: some early content economics
Nothing is more attractive than the grandeur that was Roman bureaucracy. Reading through the Roman Notitia Dignitatum will inspire any bureaucrat with longing to return to that spiritual home. In that holy land, the Master of Offices managed these organizations: the first school of shield-bearers, the second school of shield-bearers, the school of senior gentiles, … Continue reading COB-36: classical beauty
From Medea to modern media, bloody violence has been favored action. One must approach Medea and media with critical, humanistic understanding. … Read the post Understanding Medea through ancient Greek epigrams
The ancient Warka Vase and Alexander Mosaic, and later artistic and experimental evidence, show that the visual conventions of writing affect art. … Read the post Warka Vase and Alexander Mosaic: order in art and letters