Inscriptions on Everyday Items

The ancient world had no means of identification, so very frequently, owners of things they treasured would inscribe something on the item.

Here are several examples:


1.  Found on a vase from Rome:

NOLI ME

TOLLERE

HELVEITI SVM

Noli me tollere:

Helvetii sum.

Don't take me:

I am Helvetius'.

2. Found  on another vase in Pompeii:

EPAPHRODITI SVM TANGERE ME NOLI

Epaphroditi sum: tangere me noli.

I am Epaphroditus': don't touch me.

3.  A lamp from the Esquiline Hill in Rome:

CLAVDIO • NON SVM TVA

Claudio; non sum tua!

For Claudius;  I am not yours!

4. Finally, not on a small object, but written on a building:

M • IVNI • INSVLA • SVM

Marci Iuni insula sum.

I am the insula (apartment building) of Marcus Iunius.