BGU II 423 (=SPap I 112) + II 632
Letters from a New Recruit to the Roman Legions

Date: II C.E.

Provenance: Fayûm (Egypt)

Published: Friedrich Krebs, ed., in Ägyptische Urkunden aus den königlichen [staatlichen] Museen zu Berlin, Griechische Urkunden II (Berlin: Weidmann, 1898), nos. 423, 632; John L. White, Light from Ancient Letters (Foundations & Facets; Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1986), 159-60 (no. 103).

 

 

Apion to his father and lord, Epimachos, very many greetings. Before all else, I pray that you are healthy and that you may have continual good fortune along with my sister

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and her daughter and my brother. I give thanks to Lord Sarapis because, when I was endangered from the sea he saved me immediately. When I arrived at Misenum I received three gold pieces as a viaticum from

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Caesar; and I am well. Therefore I request, my lord father, that you write to me a little letter, first  concerning your health, second concerning that of my brothers [i.e., my brother and sister],

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and third, so that I may to obeisance to your hand(writing), because you trained me well. I hope by this means to advance quickly, if the gods are willing. Greet Kapiton very much and my brother

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and sister and Serenilla and my friends. I sent you a picture of me through Euktemonos. My name is Antonius Maximus. I pray that you are well. Centuria Athenonike.

 

(Along the side)

Serenos the son of Agathodaimon greets you and […], and Toubon the son of Gallonios, and D[…]nas the s[on of][…

 

(Addressed)

To Philadelphia, to Epimachos from his son Apion.

 

(Another hand) Deliver to the camp of the Prima cohors of the Apameni to Julianus, vice-secretary, (this letter), from Apion to be forwarded to his father Epimachos.

 

Notes

l. 6 Lord Sarapis: a Graeco-Egyptian deity, patron of sailors.

l. 9 Misenum: A naval port near Naples.

l. 9 Travel money worth about 75 denarii.

l. 15 Apion wants a token of his father’s presence.

l. 22 Upon entry into the Legion, a non-citizen became a citizen and therefore received a Roman name.

l. 24 The name of Apion’s company (of 100 legionaries).

 

 

BGU II 632

 

 

Antonius Maximus to his sister, Sabina, many greetings. Before all else I pray that you are healthy,

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for I myself and healthy. Making mention of you before the gods here, I received a little letter from Antonius our fellow citizen. And when I learned that

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you were well I rejoiced much. And I do not hesitate to write to you about my welfare and that of my family at every opportunity. Greet Maximus and

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Kopres,  my lord. My wife Aufidia greets you and so does Maximos my son, whose birthday is the thirtieth of Epeiph, according to Greek

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reckoning, as well as Elpis and Fortuna. Greet my lord […] I pray that you may be well.

 

(Addressed) To his sister, Sabina, from her brother Antonius Maximus.