Writing tablet

Scratched onto a wax layer, the lettering on this early 2nd century wooden writing tablet has survived. It is a deed of sale for a young enslaved woman called Fortunata, described as ‘healthy and not liable to run away’. She cost 600 silver denarii - 2 years’ pay for a legionary soldier.

This gives us a rare glimpse into government staffing methods and the lives of Roman enslaved people: they could earn money and own enslaved people themselves. Fortunata was bought by an enslaved man, called Vegetus Montanus, who worked in the treasury and who was, in turn, owned by another enslaved treasury worker.