JOURNALISM MORE THAN TWENTY CENTURIES AGO.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 1, 6 October 1877, Page 4

JOURNALISM MORE THAN TWENTY CENTURIES AGO.

The first Roman journal, published over two thousand years ago, appeared only once a year. This paper, intended to be read by the public, was known by Untitle " Annates Maxinii." The editor of this paper was the " Pontifex Maximus," whose duty it was to 'chronicle all the important events of the year. The news was written on white wooden tablets, and attached to the residences of the citizens. It must have been a curious sight to see the old Romans crowding around these tablets to get a look at the latest news. But the thirst after knowledge, and the curiosity of the people grew rapidly, and in sueh a measure that the Government, the only issuer of a journal, found itself obliged to issue a daily. It is interesting to know that some of these journals, having reached the age of 1044 years, are still in existence. The name of the first daily journal was ' Acts Populi Romani Diurna' as it appeared daily either as " Album " —I. K. the tablet hung out in public—or the contents were written | with red chalk on the walls of the j bouses. The contents of the journal j comprised that, which would be classed las daily news in our modem papers. | I''roi ii the want, of the necessary | material, political articles were not to be bad. Nevertheless, according to the views of the Roman Government, it was a true journal, and intended as reading matter for the public.

Doubtless it will interest some of our readers to peruse a verbal translation! from the oldest journal extant, issued one hundred and sixty eight years before the birth of Christ: —"Consul Sicinns was the acting judge to day. There was a heavy thunderstorm, and the lightning split ail oak tree at the foot of the Hills of Vcli. In a hostelry at the foot of the Hills of James there was a fight, in which the landlord was badly wounded. Titinius punished some butchers on account of their selling meat which had not been inspected ; the money thus paid was to erect a chapel to the Goddess Laverea. The broker Ausidius fled from town that day, taking money with him belonging to other people. He was caught, and had to refund the money. The brigand Demiphon, who was captured by Officer Nerva, has been crucified to-day. The flotilla from Asia arrived to day."—Potter's " American Monthly."