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Chapter 11: Problem 5

In the ancient world, a book could be produced either on a scroll or as a codex, which was made of folded sheets glued together, something like a modern book. One scholar has estimated the following variable costs (in Greek drachmas) of the two methods: $$ \begin{array}{l|c|l} \hline \text { Scroll } & \text { Codex } \\ \hline \begin{array}{l} \text { Cost of writing } \\ \text { (wage of a scribe) } \end{array} & 11.33 \text { drachmas } & 11.33 \text { drachmas } \\ \hline \text { Cost of paper } & 16.50 \text { drachmas } & 9.25 \text { drachmas } \\ \hline \end{array} $$ Another scholar points out that a significant fixed cost was involved in producing a codex: In order to copy a codex \(\ldots\) the amount of text and the layout of each page had to be carefully calculated in advance to determine the exact number of sheets \(\ldots\) needed. No doubt, this is more time-consuming and calls for more experimentation than the production of a scroll would. But for the next copy, these calculations would be used again. a. Suppose that the fixed cost of preparing a codex was 58 drachmas and that there was no similar fixed cost for a scroll. Would an ancient book publisher who intended to sell 5 copies of a book be likely to publish it as a scroll or as a codex? What if the publisher intended to sell 10 copies? Briefly explain. b. Although most books were published as scrolls in the first century C.E., by the third century, most were published as codices. Considering only the factors mentioned in this problem, explain why this change may have taken place.

Short Answer

Expert verified
For 5 copies or 10 copies, an ancient book publisher would be likely to publish the book as a codex because it's cheaper per book than a scroll. The shift from scrolls to codices in the ancient publishing industry probably happened because the cost savings from producing a codex became more significant as more copies of a book were produced.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate the Total Cost for Each Method

Firstly, calculate the total cost of producing a book using each method. For a scroll, the total cost is the sum of the cost of writing and the cost of paper, which is \(11.33 + 16.50 = 27.83\) drachmas. For a codex, the total cost includes the cost of writing, the cost of paper, and the fixed cost. The total cost per book is then the total cost divided by the number of copies produced. For 5 copies, it will be \((11.33 + 9.25 + 58) / 5 = 15.716\) drachmas and for 10 copies it will be \((11.33 + 9.25 + 58) / 10 = 7.858\) drachmas.
02

Compare the Costs for Each Method and Decide Which Method to Use

The next step is to compare the total cost per book for each method and decide whether a publisher will publish the book as a scroll or a codex. For 5 copies, the cost per book for a scroll is 27.83 drachmas and for a codex is 15.716 drachmas. So a publisher would choose to publish the book as a codex. For 10 copies, the cost per book for a scroll is still 27.83 drachmas and for a codex is 7.858 drachmas. So a publisher would still choose to publish the book as a codex.
03

Explain the Historical Shift from Scrolls to Codices

The shift from scrolls to codices probably happened because as the number of copies of a book increased, the cost advantage of producing a book as a codex became greater due to the spread of the fixed cost over more copies. This suggests that as books became more popular and more copies were produced, it became more economical to produce them as codices instead of scrolls.

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