History of signature

[VeniVidiVici]

I heard that Romans in Caesar's time used signature.

But signatured was more commonly used in 17th centuries.

 

So if Romans didn't use signatures, then what kind of 'thing' did they use to prove their identity?

I know Asian nations duing those time used seal.

 

Thank you in advance

[Nephele]

I believe they used signet rings, generally with a carved semi-precious gemstone -- an intaglio -- that bore a symbol or picture from mythology and that was recognizable as representing the signet bearer. This they would press into wax or some other substance, and the resulting impression would stand as their "signature".

 

-- Nephele

[Lost_Warrior]

I agree with Nephele, I believe they used Signet rings. At least, the higher ranking (senators, equestrians, etc) used them. Officers in the army also had them (I know Centurions did, and probably higher ranks as well.)

[Gaius Octavius]

How did ordinary people enter into binding contracts? How did soldiers (and others) 'seal' their wills?

[ASCLEPIADES]

I agree with Nephele, I believe they used Signet rings. At least, the higher ranking (senators, equestrians, etc) used them. Officers in the army also had them (I know Centurions did, and probably higher ranks as well.)

For example:

 

[Gaius Paulinus Maximus]

I believe they used signet rings, generally with a carved semi-precious gemstone -- an intaglio -- that bore a symbol or picture from mythology and that was recognizable as representing the signet bearer. This they would press into wax or some other substance, and the resulting impression would stand as their "signature".

 

-- Nephele

 

Just to add a bit more information on the actual designs and symbols on the seal rings

 

from LacusCurtus.........

 

 

The practical purposes, for which rings, or rather the figures engraved upon them, were used at all times, were the same as those for which we use our seals. Besides this, however, persons, when they left their houses, used to seal up such parts as contained stores or valuable things, in order to secure them from thieves, especially slaves . The ring of a Roman emperor was a kind of state-seal, and the emperor sometimes allowed the use of it to such persons as he wished to be regarded as his representatives . The keeping of the imperial seal-ring was entrusted to an especial officer . The signs engraved upon rings were very various, as we may judge from the specimens still extant: they were portraits of ancestors, or friends, or subjects connected with the mythology, or the worship of the gods; and in many cases a person had engraved upon his seal symbolical allusions to the real or mythical history of his family . Sulla thus wore a ring with a gem, on which Jugurtha was represented at the moment he was made prisoner . Pompey used a ring on which three trophies were represented and Augustus at first sealed with a sphinx afterwards with a portrait of Alexander the Great, and at last with his own portrait, which was subsequently done by several emperors

 

The principal value of a ring consisted in the gem framed in it, or rather in the workmanship of the engraver. The stone most frequently used was the onyx , on account of its various colours, of which the artists made the most skilful use. In the art of engraving figures upon gems, the ancients in point of beauty and execution far surpass every thing in this department that modern times can boast of. The ring itself , in which the gem was set, was likewise in many cases of beautiful workmanship. The part of the ring which contained the gem was called pala. In Greece we find that some persons fond of show used to wear hollow rings, the inside of which was filled up with a less valuable substance.