New find of Vindolanda letters

[Duncan Head]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jul/10/new-cache-of-roman-letters-discovered-at-hadrians-wall

[Imperial Dave]

that site really is a gift that keeps on giving in terms of new information on the day to day life of 'ordinary' people. Thanks Duncan for the link

[Prufrock]

That is exciting indeed. Thanks for the link.

[Anton]

Yes it is great news.

[Tim]

I remember my excitement at seeing them and the reading about them.  A new cache is really exciting.  Thank you Duncan.

[Jim Webster]

I remember my excitement at seeing them and the reading about them.  A new cache is really exciting.  Thank you Duncan.

I remember the excitement of learning what the first lot said

[Imperial Dave]

I want to find out what happened after the socks and underpants arrived......

[Patrick Waterson]

I want to find out what happened after the socks and underpants arrived......

Several months later ... a legionary was guarding a pass when a couple of fierce tribesmen arrived, one pulled out a very long knife, the legionary fainted, the tribesmen checked a point of curiosity and ... the rest is history.

[Erpingham]

I want to find out what happened after the socks and underpants arrived......

Several months later ... a legionary was guarding a pass when a couple of fierce tribesmen arrived, one pulled out a very long knife, the legionary fainted, the tribesmen checked a point of curiosity and ... the rest is history.

Is this a scene from the classic of Roman drama "Carry On up the Wall"?

[Imperial Dave]

I want to find out what happened after the socks and underpants arrived......

Several months later ... a legionary was guarding a pass when a couple of fierce tribesmen arrived, one pulled out a very long knife, the legionary fainted, the tribesmen checked a point of curiosity and ... the rest is history.

Is this a scene from the classic of Roman drama "Carry On up the Wall"?

Ooooh I say......

[Patrick Waterson]

Is this a scene from the classic of Roman drama "Carry On up the Wall"?

Indeed, during the appointment of Sidonius Asper Diamantus as governor.  Apparently there was an unspecified scandal involving his wife and the soldiery, a native revolt, a priest and several dancing girls.

Perhaps the next find will shed more light on the affair.

[Mark G]

We'll if the letters don't, perhaps one A Goldsworthy could do a Mantel, and bring up the violanda bodies...

[Dangun]

I am looking forward to the new Vindolanda letters.

If anyone is interested in this kind of thing, if you haven't come across them yet, I'd recommend the Sogdian letters. Spoiler: the letter from Miwnay is a little heart breaking. Pack tissues.

[Patrick Waterson]

If anyone is interested in the Sogdian Letters, they can be found (in translation) here.

To carry on with the revolt under Diamantus, it seems that a local chieftain invited a tribe from beyond the wall and they managed to force their way into one of the main forts, but were repelled by the Romans who, under the governor's direct command, employed an unusual tactic.  Exactly what this was is not mentioned, but it had a fearsome effect on the natives' morale, the rebellious chieftain crying Nescivi! (I did not know!) as he ran off.  This has been rather freely translated as: Ooh, I don't know, though in the original version.