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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 AM

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?

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 AM

Quote from: Justin Swanton on May 08, 2023, 11:07:26 AM

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?

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 AM

Quote from: Erpingham on May 08, 2023, 11:20:56 AM

Quote from: Justin Swanton on May 08, 2023, 11:07:26 AM

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?

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 

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 

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 

Nah. More like one of these gentlemen. Personally my money (!) is on Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia. He is descended from the 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 AM

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 

Nah. More like one of these gentlemen. Personally my money (!) is on Alexander, Crown Prince of Yugoslavia. He is descended from the 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.