https://tinnhanhsaigon.net/oldest-roman-library-discovered-beneath-german-city-unearthed-by-cologne-archaeologist/
very short article but fascinating discovery
"Excuse me, I've got an old overdue scroll that's been in the family for centuries....gosh, what happened to the place?"
that'll be 17000 aurei please for the fine
Quote from: Imperial Dave on May 08, 2023, 10:47:32 AMthat'll be 17000 aurei please for the fine
Whaaaat? That's $5,100,000! A typical library fine is 17 cents a day. We've had the wretched scroll for 17 centuries so that's $0,17 x 365 x 1700 = $105,485. Can I see your librarian credentials please?
Quote from: Justin Swanton on May 08, 2023, 11:07:26 AMQuote from: Imperial Dave on May 08, 2023, 10:47:32 AMthat'll be 17000 aurei please for the fine
Whaaaat? That's $5,100,000! A typical library fine is 17 cents a day. We've had the wretched scroll for 17 centuries so that's $0,17 x 365 x 1700 = $105,485. Can I see your librarian credentials please?
Interestingly, when I checked what our library fines are, I discovered we are scrapping them in July, which I wouldn't have known. However, any book outstanding for longer than two months will be billed as lost, so replacement cost. How much does an original Roman scroll in good condition go for these days?
Quote from: Erpingham on May 08, 2023, 11:20:56 AMQuote from: Justin Swanton on May 08, 2023, 11:07:26 AMQuote from: Imperial Dave on May 08, 2023, 10:47:32 AMthat'll be 17000 aurei please for the fine
Whaaaat? That's $5,100,000! A typical library fine is 17 cents a day. We've had the wretched scroll for 17 centuries so that's $0,17 x 365 x 1700 = $105,485. Can I see your librarian credentials please?
Interestingly, when I checked what our library fines are, I discovered we are scrapping them in July, which I wouldn't have known. However, any book outstanding for longer than two months will be billed as lost, so replacement cost. How much does an original Roman scroll in good condition go for these days?
In Roman times a scroll cost between $40 and $100 in contemporary terms. I'll go with that. Now I just need to find a legitimate representative of His Imperial Majesty's government, or of the appropriate Roman family if the library is privately owned, and settle the business.
geeeeet ya scrolls....only 2 a penny
Ernie "Have you got the scrolls?"
Eric "No, I always walk like this"
Quote from: Justin Swanton on May 08, 2023, 11:31:30 AMQuote from: Erpingham on May 08, 2023, 11:20:56 AMQuote from: Justin Swanton on May 08, 2023, 11:07:26 AMQuote from: Imperial Dave on May 08, 2023, 10:47:32 AMthat'll be 17000 aurei please for the fine
Whaaaat? That's $5,100,000! A typical library fine is 17 cents a day. We've had the wretched scroll for 17 centuries so that's $0,17 x 365 x 1700 = $105,485. Can I see your librarian credentials please?
Interestingly, when I checked what our library fines are, I discovered we are scrapping them in July, which I wouldn't have known. However, any book outstanding for longer than two months will be billed as lost, so replacement cost. How much does an original Roman scroll in good condition go for these days?
In Roman times a scroll cost between $40 and $100 in contemporary terms. I'll go with that. Now I just need to find a legitimate representative of His Imperial Majesty's government, or of the appropriate Roman family if the library is privately owned, and settle the business.
Theoretically, given that the first bishops of Rome and elsewhere could be ejected from their sees by the Emperor, it may be that the Pope could be the nearest thing you can find 8)
Quote from: Jim Webster on May 09, 2023, 10:37:56 AMTheoretically, given that the first bishops of Rome and elsewhere could be ejected from their sees by the Emperor, it may be that the Pope could be the nearest thing you can find 8)
Do we know what the Vatican library's fines policy is?
Quote from: Jim Webster on May 09, 2023, 10:37:56 AMTheoretically, given that the first bishops of Rome and elsewhere could be ejected from their sees by the Emperor, it may be that the Pope could be the nearest thing you can find 8)
Nah. More like one of these gentlemen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhu66Q8rfhI). Personally my money (!) is on Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander,_Crown_Prince_of_Yugoslavia). He is descended from the kings of Greece (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_kings_of_Greece) who IMHO had the most legitimate claim to be successors of the Byzantine Emperors who themselves were the successors of the Roman Emperors. I need to find out Alex's attitude towards library fines.
Edit: a little digging reveals that the Greek royal family goes back by direct male descent to Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor. So that clinches it.
Alexander the librarian
Quote from: Imperial Dave on May 09, 2023, 09:31:52 PMAlexander the librarian
Now you're just being silly. Everybody knows that it's Conan the Librarian.
Quote from: Justin Swanton on May 09, 2023, 11:14:28 AMQuote from: Jim Webster on May 09, 2023, 10:37:56 AMTheoretically, given that the first bishops of Rome and elsewhere could be ejected from their sees by the Emperor, it may be that the Pope could be the nearest thing you can find 8)
Nah. More like one of these gentlemen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhu66Q8rfhI). Personally my money (!) is on Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander,_Crown_Prince_of_Yugoslavia). He is descended from the kings of Greece (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_kings_of_Greece) who IMHO had the most legitimate claim to be successors of the Byzantine Emperors who themselves were the successors of the Roman Emperors. I need to find out Alex's attitude towards library fines.
Edit: a little digging reveals that the Greek royal family goes back by direct male descent to Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor. So that clinches it.
Most European royal families can trace back to Charlemagne who must trump a mere Holy Roman Emperor?
Quote from: Jim Webster on May 10, 2023, 12:14:11 PMMost European royal families can trace back to Charlemagne who must trump a mere Holy Roman Emperor?
It's a bonus. Being Greek and having one king called Constantine was the real clincher.
Quote from: Justin Swanton on May 09, 2023, 11:14:28 AMMore like one of these gentlemen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhu66Q8rfhI). Personally my money (!) is on Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander,_Crown_Prince_of_Yugoslavia). He is descended from the kings of Greece (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_kings_of_Greece) who IMHO had the most legitimate claim to be successors of the Byzantine Emperors who themselves were the successors of the Roman Emperors. I need to find out Alex's attitude towards library fines.
Edit: a little digging reveals that the Greek royal family goes back by direct male descent to Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor. So that clinches it.
Well, that makes it so much easier. King Charles III is descended from the Greek and Danish royal families through his father, the late Phillip Mountbatten. Doubtless His Majesty has someone to advise him on the correct level of library fines.
8)
Quote from: Jim Webster on May 10, 2023, 12:14:11 PMMost European royal families can trace back to Charlemagne who must trump a mere Holy Roman Emperor?
I thought we all were descended from Charlemagne these days. Does that mean we all get a split of the fine? :D
Ultimately, if HM owes a library fine and pays, we will foot the bill somehow.
It's good to be king
I think we may have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Wouldn't a public library in Roman Cologne belong to the civitas, rather than the Emperor? Their legal descendant would be Cologne City Council, the Kölner Stadtrat.
yes b ut there's always an imperial 'cut' of the action