Text, Layout, and Medium : Documents from the Greco-Roman World between Epigraphy and Papyrology

Abstract

This volume brings together contributions from scholars across various fields to examine the intricate relationships between format, medium, and function in ancient documentary texts. Its main objective is to challenge traditional academic boundaries by bridging the gap between epigraphy and papyrology, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. Through case studies from the Archaic period to Late Antiquity, the chapters offer fresh insights into the impact of material constraints on a wide range of document types. They also explore how layout features evolved over time and across regions in response to political, cultural, and social changes, as well as the effects these features had on readability. Overall, the volume highlights the importance of treating ancient documents as cultural objects in their own right, advocating for a more holistic approach to studying their materiality.