Roman Methods of Authentication in the First Two Centuries AD

Abstract

Since the development of electronic records archivists and records managers have taken a renewed interested in the authentication of records. This has led some theorists to re-examine how records were authenticated in the past; however, little work has been done to look at how the Romans authenticated records in the first two centuries AD. Therefore this article provides an overview of the main methods of authentication used in the Early Empire aimed at interested archival theorists and practitioners. It is argued that written attestations, seals and witnesses were widely used to authenticate records in the Roman Empire. The evidence for Roman record offices is also discussed, with a particular focus on Roman Egypt as, due to the large numbers of papyri that have survived from this area, more is known about the system of record offices in this province than anywhere else in the Empire. The problems with these methods of authentication, including forgery and disorganisation, are noted, as are their links to Roman religion and social status.

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