concept
Sealed writing-tablets (tabellae)
sealed tablets
also: signatae tabellae
Wax-coated wooden tablets used for letters, folded and closed with a wax seal stamped by a signet ring to keep the contents private. Sulpicia ostentatiously refuses such secrecy about her love.
Reading notes
- The Elegies §13 sealed tablets
Roman love letters and private communications were written on wax-coated wooden tablets (tabellae) that could be folded and sealed with wax and a personal signet ring to keep the contents private. Sulpicia ostentatiously refuses this secrecy.