ROTULUS Meaning and
Definition
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Rotulus is a Latin noun that refers to a rolled-up document, typically made of parchment or papyrus, that was commonly used in ancient times for important written records or official texts. It also has a more general meaning of a scroll or a roll. The word is derived from the Latin verb "roto," meaning "to roll," and is closely related to the English word "roll."
In ancient Rome, rotuli were extensively used to record legal, administrative, and historical information. These documents were often stored in archives or libraries and could contain a diverse range of content, such as land ownership records, census data, correspondence, or literary works. Due to their roll-like nature, rotuli were easy to transport and store, making them convenient for record-keeping purposes.
Rotuli played a key role in preserving and disseminating important texts throughout ancient history. With the advent of codices, which are bound book-like structures, rotuli gradually fell out of use and were eventually replaced. However, they left an indelible mark on the history of written communication and document preservation.
Today, the term "rotulus" is occasionally used in scholarly contexts to refer to ancient rolled documents or as a general term for scrolls, emphasizing their historical significance and their form as a rolled-up manuscript.
Etymology of ROTULUS
The word "rotulus" comes from Latin. Its etymology can be traced back to the Latin verb "rota", which means "to roll". "Rotulus" is the diminutive form of "rota", indicating something that is small or diminished in size, and it specifically refers to a small rolled manuscript or scroll.
