‘Oldest Roman library Discovered Beneath German City’

[Imperial Dave]

https://tinnhanhsaigon.net/oldest-roman-library-discovered-beneath-german-city-unearthed-by-cologne-archaeologist/

very short article but fascinating discovery

[Justin Swanton]

"Excuse me, I've got an old overdue scroll that's been in the family for centuries....gosh, what happened to the place?"

[Imperial Dave]

that'll be 17000 aurei please for the fine

[Justin Swanton]

that'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?

[Erpingham]

that'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?

[Justin Swanton]

that'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.

[Imperial Dave]

geeeeet ya scrolls....only 2 a penny

[Erpingham]

Ernie  "Have you got the scrolls?"
Eric "No, I always walk like this"

[Jim Webster]

that'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 

[Erpingham]

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 

Do we know what the Vatican library's fines policy is?

[Justin Swanton]

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 

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.

[Imperial Dave]

Alexander the librarian

[Tarnegol]

Alexander the librarian

Now you're just being silly. Everybody knows that it's Conan the Librarian.

[Jim Webster]

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 

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?

[Justin Swanton]

Most 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.