I wonder, would the Roman economy support printing? Who would purchase printed works who wasn't already rich enough to purchase handwritten works? - Nik 00:16, 19 May 2005 (UTC)
- how's this: the emperor sees the propaganda value of mass produce words and pass a few contracts to have small booklets (codexitii ? ) and one sheets printed for the plebians, legionaires, and other people in the far distance of the empire. --Marcpasquin 01:06, 19 May 2005 (UTC)
- The Romans could print on parchment - which was expensive, or on papyrus - which is a media not well suited for printing. Also the most likely press used would be an adaptation of an olive press. It would be difficult to apply even and regular pressure with this type of press.
- The papyrus/olive press printing would be low quality. Glyph size would have to be large to compensate for the irregular papyrus, and inks would probably smear due to the lever type press. High end printing on parchment, however, might be quite nice. I’m imagining very decorative works, perhaps even illustrated. Official works could have a profile of the emperor for example.
- Let’s say the technology stays alive but does not have immense effect on society. The Persians are in a position to know about the Roman printing technology and have access to paper from China. What if the near East starts printing copies of some scientific works they’ve been keeping around? Could 5th century civilization become based more on Aristotle’s reason than on Plato’s mysticism? Come the 7th century or so, do a large number of quickly produce Korans flood the world? --AirshipArmada 13:26, 2 Jun 2005 (UTC)
What about a more limited use: the letters applied to a metal template, which serves as an official original to lesser handwritten copies. Theophilus
Possibilities:
- The less literate acquire "signatory stamps" and general slogans on pottery etc (the equivalent of modern rubber stamps/labelling equipment or the "printing sets" aimed at modern children). Thus a change in attitude towards legal ownership, advertising etc.
- Officialdom decides to investigate materials which can support mass printing, with follow-on effects on technology.
- The library of Alexandria and equivalents acquire the equipment for their own purposes.
Jackiespeel 17:32, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
I am developing some pages of a timeline based on this idea - a slight fork. Jackiespeel 21:17, September 19, 2010 (UTC)
Would add street-sign/H&S signs equivalents and similar, advertising logos and other imagery that does not suppose literacy in the given language to the above.
Could the Antikythera mechanism be incorporated into this timeline? Jackiespeel (talk) 17:12, September 2, 2015 (UTC)
...If there was some remote clue as to what it was or was used for, maybe. But there is not. Lordganon (talk) 12:43, September 10, 2015 (UTC)