Early public communications
Today's online component is a lecture given during January 2011 that addresses communications that existed in Rome and the Middle Ages. We conclude with the introduction of printing and early North American communications.
Part one: Rome
VIDEO
Questions for next week:
What geographic area did the Roman Empire cover?
Why is the vast nature of the empire important to its communications?
The Acta Senatus was like our Congressional Record, meaning that it recorded what?
The album and newsletters were examples of early news publications. What did these cover and who was their audience?
The Acta Diurna was the closest thing to a newspaper in Ancient Rome. What was its content and where was it posted?
What communications advances were introduced by Augustus ?
What is meant by "bread and circuses"?
Part two: Middle ages, movable type, early printing
VIDEO
Questions for next week:
How did oral traditions continue after Rome fell?
Where was paper first introduced? How long did it take to get to the West?
What was Gutenberg's invention? How was it unique compared to previous printing technologies?
What was the first book to be printed using Gutenberg's method?
How did Martin Luther's Reformation Movement benefit from the introduction of printing?
