Roman is a general term for serif typefaces inherited from Roman antiquity and the Renaissance, as opposed to Gothic scripts. It brings together several families of the Vox classification: Humanist serifs, Garaldes, Transitionals and Didones.
Where to see it
Roman typefaces have their origin in the capitals carved on Roman monuments, such as the inscription on Trajan's Column in Rome, dated AD 113. Today they set the vast majority of printed books, newspapers and magazines.
Why this detail matters
Understanding Roman typefaces helps find your way in classifications:
- The term groups the main serif typefaces into a single large family;
- It is a reminder of the ancient origin of our capital letters;
- Then telling apart Humanist serifs, Garaldes, Transitionals and Didones refines the choice according to the period and tone sought.
Related term
Humanist serifs are the first of the Roman families, which appeared in Venice around 1470.