Part
of the left-hand side of a diptych containing the beginning of a letter from
Hostilius Flavianus to Cerialis, sending a New Year's greeting. Hostilius
Flavianus' status and whereabouts are unattested but it is possible that 172 is a
fragment of a request for commeatus addressed to him. If
so, it would suggest that Flavianus was at Vindolanda at some time and that he
was a prefect (see above, pp.77-8). The social and religious prominence of the
New Year is further emphasised by a letter to Cerialis referring to a sacrifice
made on that occasion (265, see introduction and the references in
notes to lines 3-4); note Pliny, NH 28.22, primum
anni incipientis diem laetis precationibus inuicem faustum ominamur.
open image zooming viewer
Vindolanda Inventory No. 86.501
Introduction
Part of the left-hand side of a diptych containing the beginning of a letter from Hostilius Flavianus to Cerialis, sending a New Year's greeting. Hostilius Flavianus' status and whereabouts are unattested but it is possible that 172 is a fragment of a request for commeatus addressed to him. If so, it would suggest that Flavianus was at Vindolanda at some time and that he was a prefect (see above, pp.77-8). The social and religious prominence of the New Year is further emphasised by a letter to Cerialis referring to a sacrifice made on that occasion (265, see introduction and the references in notes to lines 3-4); note Pliny, NH 28.22, primum anni incipientis diem laetis precationibus inuicem faustum ominamur.