Ancient Roman letter writing

Ancient Roman letter writing

by Joan Crist

​The Greeting

​Ancient Romans began formal letters with this greeting:

​(Sender) to (receiver) salūtem dīcit.

​ For example,

​Cicerō Atticō salūtem dīcit.

​"Cicero to his brother Atticus says hello."

​salūtem dīcit was often abbreviated to "sal"

Multiple Choice

Which of these best copies the ancient Roman style of greeting in a letter?

• Alexis to Anthony says hello.

• Hi, Anthony,

  How are you today?

• Hey, bro, what up?

• Dear Jimena,

  How are you today?

Multiple Choice

How would you say it in Latin?

• Alexis Antōniō salūtem dīcit

• Salvē, Antoni! quomodo tē habēs?

• salvē, frāter, quid agis?

​"ānulus signum habet."

​The writer then sealed the letter on the inside with a unique personal symbol called a "signum."

​After closing, the letter would usually be tied up with string, then the string would be covered with another seal in wax, having the same "signum." This seal would have to be broken to open the letter. It proved that the letter had not been tampered with on the way.

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of the "signum?"

• to prove that the letter had not been tampered with.

• to show the wealth of the sender.

• to keep the letter closed.

​Cicero

​Cicero was a lawyer and political leader who lived in the first century BC.

​He wrote a LOT of personal letters to friends and relatives.

​His letters tell us a lot about the time of the Republic in Roman history.

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