Cornelia was a roman matron who wrote letters to her children in which she discussed the political situation of her time. Some fragments of those letters have survived. In this activity, you are going to read a different kind of letter. It is an invitation to a birthday party written by a woman and sent to her friend. It was found in Vindolanda, written on a wooden table. You will see a picture of the letter, the text in Latin, its translation and an adaptation. Using the adaptation as a model, write your own invitation and address it to a friend. In turn, they will wish you a happy birthday through text.
I- Read the invitation in Latin that Claudia Severa sends to her friend Lepidina and its adaptation. If needed, read the translation. Then, answer the questions.
FRONT
BACK
https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/TabVindol291
Answer:
1- Which case is used for addressing the person to whom she is writing?
2- What are the expressions used for greetings and goodbye? What mood are they in?
3- What Latin expression refers to one's birthday?
II- Using the adaptation of the letter as an example, write your own invitation and address it to a friend. You can make up a name, Latinize the original or use the word amicus/a. You will receive an invitation as well. You must respond to it by texting "happy birthday" to your friend. To do so, you can use any of the expressions given or you can even sing "Happy Birthday" in Latin.
Latin expressions for "happy birthday": felix sit natalis dies; felicem diem natalem; habeas felicitatem in die natus es!; Natalis laetus tibi!
Song
Natalem diem felicem!
Natalem diem felicem!
Desideramus tibi omnes
Natalem diem felicem!