Add MS 73521

; 7 Jan., A. D. 242. Latin. Grant by Emperor Marcus Antonius Gordianus to soldiers of the ten praetorian cohorts Gordiana (including Publius Valerius Victor, son of Publius, of the Papirian voting tribe from Ratiaria, to whom this surviving tablet is addressed) the right of legal marriage with their first wives (one each, only) so that even if they had married women of 'peregrine' status (natives, rather than Roman citizens) their children could be raised as if both their parents were Roman citizens. First tablet of a diploma of unknown provenance. Inscribed on the obverse with Old Roman cursive and on the reverse with scriptura actuaria (engraved rustic capitals). See M. M. Roxan, Roman Military Diplomas 1985-1993 (1994). Purchased from Bernard Quaritch Ltd, March 1997, for inclusion in the history of writing display in the British Library’s Pearson Gallery at St Pancras from 1998.

1370mm x 970mm. Bronze tablet, brown with verdigris patina. Central holes originally to receive binding wire which would have had boxed seals attached, to confirm authenticity. One small later hole and some chipping of edges. Double ruled bounding lines to top, bottom and sides of text block.