The
Develop¬
ment of
Writing

end of the fifth century for important books (see
Plate III).

RUSTIC CAPITALS were probably a variety
of the “ Square Capitals,” and were in use till about
the end of the fifth century (fig. 4 j see also p. 261).

5 СЛІАІ1ЛЛ l A.OVI 50.
DISCVUYNIAUIAD
КШАШШОШ
1ШINIШ JU AVOi f
ЛШШЛІЛбЫЛОѴ

Fig. 4.—Æneid, on vellum, third or fourth century.

ROMAN UNCIALS were fully developed by
the fourth century, and were used from the fifth till
the eighth century for the finest books (fig. 5)-

Uncials are true pen-forms1—more quickly
written than the “ Square,” and clearer than the
“Rustic” Capitals — having the characteristic,
simple strokes and beautiful, rounded shapes which
flow from the rightly handled reed or quill. The

1 It is possible that their forms were influenced by the use of
the brush in painting up public notices and the like. The
introduction of the use of vellum—a perfect writing material—
in the making of books, undoubtedly led to a great advance in
the formality and finish of the book-hands (especially of the
Uncial character) ; practically, it may be said to mark the be-
ginning of penmanship as a “fine” art. This development may
be assigned to the time between the first and the third centuries
(palæographical dates before the fifth century must generally
be regarded as approximate).

4

iNomi
CONpITCB

JJMÒJRC

iNCoq<

JUSTJTI

JUSTIFICA
CUSTO
NONfDef

Fig. 5.—Psalter, fifth century.

5

The

Develop¬
ment of
Writing