Tironian notes | |
---|---|
Script type | shorthand
|
Creator | Marcus Tullius Tiro |
Created | 60s BC |
Time period | 1st century BC – 16th century AD |
Status | a few Tironian symbols are still in modern use |
Languages | Latin |
Unicode | |
Et: U+204A, U+2E52; MUFI | |
Tironian notes (Latin: notae Tironianae) are a form of thousands of signs that were formerly used in a system of shorthand (Tironian shorthand) dating from the 1st century BCE and named after Tiro, a personal secretary to Marcus Tullius Cicero, who is often credited as their inventor.[1] Tiro's system consisted of about 4,000 signs,[2] extended to 5,000 signs by others. During the medieval period, Tiro's notation system was taught in European monasteries and expanded to a total of about 13,000 signs.[3] The use of Tironian notes lasted into the 17th century. A few Tironian signs are still used today.[4][5]