Тhis wooden tablet is one of number excavated at the site of the Roman fort of Vindolanda in Northumberland. It contains one of the earliest known examples of writing in Latin by a woman. It is an invitation to a birthday party from Claudia Severa to Sulpicia Lepidina, both 'army wives' living on the northern frontier of Roman Britain.

Most of the tablet is written by a scribe: 'Claudia Severa to her Lepidina greetings. On 11 September, 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 Cerialis.

My Aelius and my little son send him (?) their greetings.' At the bottom are lines written by Severa herself: 'I shall expect you sister. Farewell, sister my dearest soul, as I hope to prosper, and hail.'



From Vindolanda Roman fort (modern Chesterholm), Northumberland
Roman Britain, c. AD 97-103
L. 22.3 cm