The Latin script was developed from the Greek alphabet, and is the root for many modern languages today. The alphabet we use today is identical to the Roman one except for the letters J, U and W. For writing, they initially used  papyrus but changed over to scrolls once parchment (treated animal skin) became widespread.

The Romans had a highly organised postal system, the cursus publicus, for state use. It used a network of couriers, ships and staging posts to deliver messages between the centre and governors of various localities. It also acted as a news service by notifying all parts of the empire about important happenings. Hence the Roman postal system was instrumental in the smooth running of affairs over the vast Roman empire.

The Romans also used pigeons to send messages, and in some instances swallows were used for the same purpose. The system was borrowed from the Sumerians who developed it in 2000 BCE.

For quick communication in times of war, the Romans used telegraph services, borrowed from the Greeks and later developed upon. Their basic semaphore system was the same as that of the Greeks but the Romans improved upon it by greatly augmenting its range. Messenger posts were placed about a mile apart forming chains of messengers who would transmit the message from one post to the next, increasing the distance across which messages could be sent infinitely. The Romans also replaced the torches and lanterns used by the Greeks with mirrors that flashed messages by reflecting the sun's rays.

The Roman system of messaging was the most efficient one until the development of the mechanical telegraph in the eighteenth century. It is similar to the modern system of semaphore which uses flags instead of torches to relay messages.