Ancient Romans used honey as a binding agent for ink
While modern writers view bees as symbols of industry, ancient scholars had a literal connection to the hive through the very fluid they used to record their thoughts.
In the ancient world, the relationship between literature and bees was more than just metaphorical. While poets like Virgil praised the insects for their social order and Roman virtues, practical craftsmen relied on their products to create the tools of literacy. Honey was commonly used as a binding agent in ancient ink recipes, physically holding the pigments together so they could be drawn up by a reed pen.
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