Tag Archives: desks

The So-called Scriptorium at Bu Njem

It is common for historians of ancient Rome to state that writers did not use desks (As Theodor Birt put it, “In antiquity, people did not write on desks”). I have noted before on the blog that I am not … Continue reading

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A Mosaic from Thabraca with a Writer at a Desk

In earlier posts, I discussed two pieces of evidence for writing at desks in the late antique period, a relief from Ostia and a relief found at Portus. Another piece of evidence that Metzger mentioned in his well known chapter … Continue reading

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A Relief from Ostia Showing Writers at Desks

The museum at the archaeological park at Ostia Antica has reopened after many years of closure for renovations. The results are quite impressive, and I hope to have a chance to post some reflections about the museum itself soon, but … Continue reading

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