ancient Roman bad-handwriting jokes

[KateGladstone]

From a comedy by Plautus:

 

Calidorus: Take this letter, then tell yourself what misery and concern are wasting me away.

Pseudolus: I will do this for you. But what is this, I ask?

Calidorus: What's wrong?

Pseudolus: In my opinion, these letters are seeking children for themselves: one mounts the other.

Calidorus: Are you mocking me with your teasing?

Pseudolus: Indeed, by Pollux I believe that unless the Sibyl can read these letters, nobody else can understand them.

Calidorus: Why do you speak harshly about these charming letters and charming tablets, written by a charming hand?

Pseudolus: By Hercules I beg you, do even hens have hands like these? For indeed a hen wrote these letters.

 

— Plautus, PSEUDOLUS, 21-30 —

found on the Wikipedia page about Roman cursive, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_cursive

[Richard]

It's not exactly a comment on handwriting, but a few years ago I combined an epigram by Martial with an exemplar of a handwriting style found in Pompeii. I’ve updated that giggle by adding in an exemplar of the same epigram in a Zanerian script. Take a peek!

[KateGladstone]

I have to say I liked it better (and found it more legible) in the Pompeiian graffiti style.

 

;-)

[Richard]

Hmpf! Spoilsport.

Edited December 31, 2006 by Richard

[sonia_simone]

<pat> <pat> Richard, I thought the Zanerian was rather wonderful.