BCE Ostraka
Shards of clay pottery (ostraka) were the scratch paper of Ancient Greek culture – people would use them to write short messages to each other, either in ink or by carving letters into the clay. Like modern-day scratch notes or SMS text messages, this content was not intended to be permanent, merely read once and disposed of. However, many of these shards survive today, and give us glimpses into the everyday life of ancient people.
This ostracon contains correspondence in Greek text from one officer to another at a Roman military base in Upper Egypt:
Herennius Antoninus, decurion, to Amatios, greeting. Since the son of Balaneus who is in the watchtower is a boy, speak to the dekanos so that he may place a young man in his stead; for I also have sent orders to him about him. And send me the civilian who set fire to the reeds near the new outpost. Farewell.
The Greek text of this ostrakon reveals a letter from a soldier named Maximus to a female (the term "sister" in the greeting could be meant literally, or as a term of endearment to a friend or spouse). The letter is long and deals with many subjects, but most of the message is concerned with an imminent childbirth. Regardless of the era, events on the homefront are always on the mind of deployed soldiers.
Maximus to Tinarsieges his sister, many greetings and in everything good health. If you are coming to your days of giving birth, write to me so that I may come and perform your delivery, since I do not know your month. I wrote to you in advance for this reason, so that you might also act in advance and write to me so that I would come in the provisions-boat, so that I also might remain with you and perform your delivery. For I advise you that I will wait with you for the birth. If you do not send [word] to me you do me no favor...The man who is bringing you the ostrakon is returning to me; do not neglect to write by way of him...