Page 83 - Manual of Roman Everyday Writing Volume 2: Writing Equipment

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Pens could also be carried in a case together with inkwells, in a
c) Containers and writing sets theca calamaria, which was used from the 1st century CE onwards if
not earlier (Boeselager 1989, esp. 227–231). Such cases containing
double inkwells together with wax-spatulas, pens and styli are
Stylus/pen case (graphiarium) and writing case depicted on the Atimetus/Epaphra relief (fig. 1). They would have
(theca calamaria) been made of leather and widened towards the opening. Leather
cases are preserved from Egypt (Fünfschilling 2012, 185 fig. 31),
Styli and pens were carried in simple cylindrical metal (bronze) or and remains of a leather case that contained styli and a penknife
leather cases (graphiaria). Such cases are kown from iconographic amongst other things were also found in the grave of a young girl
evidence and are sometimes found in excavations (Boeselager 1989; in Lully (Switzerland, Duvauchelle 2012, 77).
Božič and Feugère 2004, 31; Schaltenbrand Obrecht 2012, 27 note
64). Cases for single pens can be difficult to distinguish from the
remains of pens themselves, and similar cases will have been used
for other items, for example medical tools and instruments.

Fig. 58: Tombstone of P. Flavoleius Cordus showing him
holding what appears to be a pen case in his left hand, 13
Fig. 57: Two styli, a double case and an inkwell from Brigetio-
Szöny (Hungary), late 2nd/early 3rd century CE. From BCE–43 CE. CIL XIII 7255, Landesmuseum Mainz, inv. S 116.
Fünfschilling 2012, 185 fig. 33. © Augusta Raurica. © GDKE/Landesmuseum Mainz, Ursula Rudischer.