A 2000-Year-Old Invitation The Oldest Known Latin Letter Penned by a Woman from the Roman Frontier
The Oldest Birthday Invitation: A Roman Woman’s Voice Preserved in Time
Name: Birthday Invitation to Sulpicia Lepidina
Material: Wooden tablet with carbon-based ink
Origin: Vindolanda Roman fort, Northumberland, U.K.
Date: A.D. 97–103
A remarkable wooden tablet discovered at Vindolanda, a Roman fort near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, holds the earliest known example of Latin writing by a woman. This artifact, penned by Claudia Severa, is more than just a message—it is a window into the personal lives of Roman women on the edge of the Empire nearly 2,000 years ago.
A Personal Invitation Across Time
This ancient artifact is a birthday invitation from Claudia Severa to her close friend, Sulpicia Lepidina. Written on a postcard-sized tablet measuring 8.8 by 3.8 inches (22.3 by 9.6 cm), the letter showcases the warmth of friendship and the importance of celebration in Roman society. Claudia invites Sulpicia to her birthday celebration with a message brimming with affection and a touch of formality, characteristic of Roman correspondence.
One side of the tablet reads:
“To Sulpicia Lepidina, wife of Cerialis, from Claudia Severa.”
On the reverse, the main invitation unfolds:
“Claudia Severa to her Lepidina, greetings. On September 11, sister, for the day of the celebration of my birthday, I give you a warm invitation to make sure that you come to us, to make the day more enjoyable for me by your arrival, if you are present. Give my greetings to your husband, Flavius Cerialis. My husband Aelius Brocchus and my little son send him their greetings.”
A Rare Glimpse of Claudia’s Handwriting
Most of the text was dictated by Claudia Severa and written by a scribe in an elegant script, but a personal touch makes this invitation truly extraordinary. In the lower-right corner, Claudia added a postscript in her own handwriting:
“I shall expect you, sister. Farewell, sister, my dearest soul, as I hope to prosper, and hail.”
The less formal, slightly uneven handwriting contrasts with the scribe’s polished script, revealing Claudia’s personal literacy—a rarity for women in the ancient world. This detail provides a poignant glimpse into her personality and her close bond with Sulpicia.
Why This Tablet Matters
Vindolanda has yielded a treasure trove of over 1,700 writing tablets since their discovery in 1973, preserved in the oxygen-free soil that has safeguarded organic materials like leather shoes and camping equipment. These tablets reveal the everyday lives of Roman soldiers, merchants, and their families.
However, Claudia’s letter stands out as a cultural milestone. It is not only the earliest known instance of Latin handwriting by a woman but also a testament to the personal lives and social interactions of Roman women. It underscores the importance of family, friendship, and celebrations, even at the edge of the Roman Empire.
Vindolanda: A Living Archive
The Vindolanda tablets illuminate the daily existence of Roman military families stationed far from their homeland. They mention mundane activities like food orders, troop movements, and personal correspondences. Claudia’s letter adds emotional depth to these records, highlighting the shared human experience of longing for connection, celebration, and companionship.
A Legacy of Friendship
Today, this tablet is housed in the British Museum, where it continues to inspire curiosity about Roman history and culture. Claudia’s words, preserved against the odds, remind us of the enduring nature of friendship and the power of written communication.
Through this humble wooden invitation, we hear the voice of a Roman woman across millennia, proving that the bonds of affection and the joy of gathering with loved ones transcend time.