The latest edition of the Pen of the Year tells a story of an epoch and people whose deeds made
a strong impression on the history of mankind. This year it centres on an empire that, step
by step from the 8th century BC, extended over three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Even today, in the early 3rd millennium, it still exerts immeasurable influence on our world: the Imperium Romanum.
According to legend, Rome was founded in the year 753 BC by Romulus, who had earlier been the subject of a remarkable drama: he and his twin brother Remus had been abandoned as infants but were discovered and suckled by a wolf. That was the start of a rise to fame without parallel in the ancient world. The city on the Tiber reached the zenith of its power in AD 117. Its vast field of influence extended from Scotland in the
north to Nubia in Africa, from Portugal in the west to Mesopotamia in present-day Iraq. With its numerous peoples, the Roman empire embodied the idea of an “imperium sine fine”, a boundless empire, ruled from the “eternal city”. Rome’s symbol is the Colosseum: the legendary arena where the gladiators fought is an architectural wonder that has survived the changes and upheavals of the ages.
Our image of ancient Rome is marked by emperors,
gladiators, and legions. But the influence of
the Roman empire is much deeper and more varied.
Culture and the arts blossomed at that time, and
the quality of life in Europe and North Africa was not achieved again for many centuries. Rome remains our example in other ways, too. That is among others the case with the legal and political system in most European countries.
He was destined for great things from birth: coming from an ancient Roman patrician family, Gaius Julius Caesar held important office at an early age, conquered all of Gaul as far as the Rhine, and increasingly acquired the reputation of resolutely pursuing his goals. As no other, he knew how to follow up his deeds with memorable words. After the battle of Zela, when his legionnaires exhausted the troops of King Pharnaces II in just four hours, he wrote to a
friend “veni vidi vici” – I came, I saw, I conquered.
One need hear this concise triumphant phrase just
once, and it is remembered for ever. The conversion of the Roman Republic into an Empire began with Caesar. He was the first ruler to be represented on Roman coins during his lifetime.
Stone of the gods: that is how the Greeks expressed their respect for the beauty of marble. The Romans took up the theme: marble statues were reserved for gods and emperors. They were produced in large numbers to declare the power of Rome, and many can still be admired in museums. Marble of the highest quality from Carrara in Tuscany made a significant contribution to the radiance that commanded so much respect. It was laid down 30 million years ago when the African and European continental plates collided,pushing up the Alps.A unique aura surrounds ‘statuario’ marble from Carrara. In the world of luxury, statuario stands for elegance and prestige to meet the most demanding standards. It forms an impressive sight in the entrance hall of the Faber-Castell castle, for example. For the ‘Imperium Romanum’ Pen of the Year 2018 we have chosen a special variety of statuario. Each individual pen is produced by hand with masterly skill in the Stephan jewel studios. Inserted between the marble segments of the barrel are platinum-plated rings decorated with laurel wreaths, symbolizing fame and success, and lending the pen its inimitable elegance. A further unusual detail in this edition is the elaborately worked cap with an engraving of the famous Colosseum and a miniature Roman penny (denarius) as the crowning glory. The denarius in the cap of this edition is modelled on a very rare silver coin from the year 44 BC depicting Caesar’s head. We found the original at Ritter in Düsseldorf, a prestigious dealer and certified coin expert. The fountain pen comes with an 18-carat, bicolour gold nib that is inscribed by hand. The nib is available in nib width M, F, B and BB. A platinum-plated endcap protects the rotary knob of the plunger mechanism of the plunger-type fountain pen.In the search for a suitable opposite number to white statuario marble we made a lucky find in the Iberian peninsula, once part of the Roman empire. Nero Marquina from the Vizcaya (Biscay) region in the Basque country combines in a refined way a basic
black colour with pronounced white veins. It harmonizes perfectly with the anthracite-grey titanium PVD coating that gives the
writing instruments of the “Black Edition” an ever-changing appearance in use. The fountain pen is fitted with a ruthenium-plated
18-carat gold nib, already run in by hand, which matches perfectly the very masculine appearance of the barrel. The cap of the “Black Edition” is also adorned by an engraving of the Colosseum and a miniature Roman penny (denarius). An end-cap protects the rotary knob of the plunger mechanism of the plunger-type fountain pen.
All writing instruments are individually numbered and come in a highly polished black wooden case. A certificate bearing the signature of Count Charles von Faber-Castell attests that these are all strictly limited editions.
