Modern term for a type of Roman document introduced by the emperor Claudius (AD 41-54) and later widespread. Military diplomas (MD) are bronze double documents consisting of two rectangular, closed, and sealed tablets. On the two inner sides is the actual text of the document, with the same text on the outside of tabella I. On the outside of tabella II, the names of seven witnesses (licenced by the state since Vespasian) flank the seals secured to the central wire closure by a capsule soldered onto the document.
MD are notarized copies of ad personam imperial orders, prepa…