Rome was a complex society. Levels of literacy were fluid because of the conditions of the day being as culturally and ethnically diverse as it was. The Roman Empire from the first century to the fourth century was as culturally and ethnically diverse as New York City and its five boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. A person’s literacy level to carry out different job functions and skills for daily living and employment would not be the same in Nazareth as would have been the case in Rome. The need or desire for literacy would not be as important in Nazareth as it would have been in Rome. As we will see, the need or desire for literacy was likely ...
PROVERBS 1:8-9 Was There Really Books, Reading, Writing, and Literacy In Ancient Jewish Education?
It is often claimed by many Bible scholars and historians that the ancient Israelites and the early Christians were illiterate. Is this true?
OTBD: PROVERBS 1:8-9 Books, Reading, and Writing; Literacy and Early Jewish Education
Most Bible scholars follow the secular scholars in that they see very little literacy in ancient times. Is that really the case? What does the evidence really say?