The Real Letters from Roman Soldiers

These are letters written by Roman soldiers nearly 2,000 years ago. They were written on wooden tablets in ink made with charcoal and tree sap. When they were discovered, they the oldest handwritten texts ever found in Britain, and the oldest handwritten Latin texts ever found. All of them come from Vindolanda, a Roman fort right by Hadrian’s Wall. They were preserved in anaerobic bog-like conditions, so what you’re about to hear are real Roman soldiers from the 1st to 2nd century AD, nearly 2,000 years ago.

Music: Celtic Impulse by Kevin MacLeod.

[markbeck]

This makes them very real: dealing with friendships and family, money matters, supply needs, justice.. just like us today.

[branscombeR]

The Vindolanda tablets also include a letter from a worried mother having heard that the climate at Hadrian's Wall was very cold in winter, enclosed a gift of hand-knitted warm socks ... and a party invitation from one woman to another on this, the most northerly frontier of the Roman empire. R (Australia)

[EndingSimple]

It is precious to hear from human beings that far back in time. Thank you for it.

[ronorazine]

Interesting as a young soldier in viet nam on the DMZ, i had no good socks or underware due to a seige. Sent a request to my mother and received once things quieted down two packages of socks snd underwear plus some snacks. Couldnt help but smile at the roman soldier who got knitted socks.

[monster]

I love these letters because they remind you that first and foremost, that these were real people. With families, loved ones, hopes and dreams, pet peeves and annoyances, etc… it’s very enlightening and helps us relate to these people who lived thousands of years ago.

[Nellis]

People are people ……. even two thousand years ago .
Same hopes, same dreams. Makes it all the more palpable.

[robinharwood]

As I recall, at least one letter referred, not just to socks, but to warm underpants. Hardly surprising. if you are standing on the wall at midnight, in winter, you’ll want more than just a tunic between the North Wind and your essentials.

[Sopmylo]

Closest we'll get to actually sitting in a room with a Roman.

[francisebbecke]

Problems of every day people are about the same them as now. Great find!

[KravKernow]

The Vindolanda tablets are my favourite find in archaeology. They just so humanise the community there. I love the complaint about the state of the roads. Just shows how the myth and reality aren't always the same. They also have interesting examples of people using latin letters to transliterate the local Celtic languages into writing.

[acebrandon]

That was very interesting, due to the fact that the soldiers that wrote these letters 2000 years-ago were dead but their words were preserved and alive for 45 generations. For us to read and learn from.

[alaakela]

How marvelous! We are reading letter from 2000 years ago! Love it!

[CrankyGrandma]

It’s funny how close in style this is to Paul’s epistles.

[njhoepner]

It reminds me of when I lived in Wiesbaden, Germany, which in Roman times was a major fortress and settlement. There was a short bridge from the Roman period there, and just below it a few Roman gravestones. One was of a centurion. So there I was, a U.S. Army officer serving in Germany, looking at the gravestone of a Roman Army officer serving in Germany. It was an interesting feeling.

[bertmacdonald]

The HBO series, ROME was an eye opener into how Romans lived, fought and died. The soldiers Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo were actual people, mentioned in Julius Caesars conquest of Britain. They both were centurions, vying for the top spot SNCO in their Unit and by Caesar`s account were both absolute machines. Do your own research into those blokes.
In the armoury at Royal Marines Commando Training Centre, down one side is a long counter where recruits draw their weapons for training . On the wall down the opposite side, was a series of drawings comparing our training to that of Roman Legionnairs. Not much has changed in two thousand years!
Ray Stevenson who passed away recently, played Pullo with such aplomb that I would be happy to have him as a Marine in my Troop.
Rest Easy Ray, sleep well Pullo

[Calligraphybooster]

“He has not credited them to my account“?
Implying some banking system? Wow. I would love to know more.

[sookie]

I love history warts and all. I dislike people trying to rewrite history. Thank you for sharing!

[bryanmaxwell]

While I was in USMC boot camp in fall of 1985….I sent a letter to my biological mom and biological dad…both divorced from each other since I was 9 years old…mom ( a part time waitress at Denny’s )..sent me cookies and photos of her dad who was a former US Marine. I got a letter from my biological father while I was in boot camp also…he said he was repulsed and disgusted with me going into the USMC….he was a devote Jehovah Witness. I just retired as a Lieutenant General, Vice Chair on the Joint Chief of Staff…38 years serving my country. He ended up fleeing the USA as a felony charged tax evader and for insurance fraud…He is perceived to reside on the Cook Island, Rarotonga, Matavera ….Some pain as a child will stay with you for decades….

[davidnash]

I was lazy not walking the length of the wall but seeing the main parts it was lovely weather and just great to see especially the letters saved from Vindolanda, it's as if you can touch history
You reading these reminds me of that trip 👍

[kenbo-]

I did enjoy their words. Thank you for bringing them to us!