Who Needed Writing in Graeco-Roman Egypt, and for What Purpose? Document Layout as a Tool of Literacy

Abstract

Numerous aspects in the life of the inhabitants of Graeco-Roman Egypt were determined by actions that required writing, even in the countryside. The level of literacy, however, was very uneven among individuals and officials. The layout of documents was devised in such a way that it helped those with a moderate level of literacy to follow intricate administrative procedures. The specific case of blank windows is used to illustrate this phenomenon.