Writing tablet with a letter inviting Sulpicia Lepidina, the commander's wife, to a birthday party

Attribution:

Photography by Ryan Chatfield

Key Dates

100

The tablet dates from between 97 and 103 AD.

Key People

Sulpicia Lepidina was married to Flavius Cerealis, prefect of the 9th Cohort of Batavians. Claudia Severa, who was giving the birthday party, was the wife of Aelius Brocchus.

The letter is written in two hands: that of a scribe and Severa's own, making the tablet one of the earliest examples of writing in Latin by a woman. The letter invites Sulpicia to Claudia's birthday party on the 11th of September in warm terms and sends Claudia's greetings to her friend's husband.

Origin & Collection

On display at:

British Museum

Additional information on display location:

Room 49: Roman Britain

Reference Number:

P&EE 1986 10-1 64

Physical properties

Lenght:

22.30cm

Materials:

Wood