Private Letter

Description

Granios informs his brother Ignantios that a letter from Pompeianos related to him a series of events in the capital, beginning with the arrival there of Ignatios' horse. The animal was appraised by the prefect at a value of 200 drachmae (=50 staters); the price is not high and the horse was apparently not a valuable animal. At this juncture, according to Pompeianos' letter, Proklos, cavalry and vexillarius, appeared, claimimg that Ignatios owes him 28 staters for fodder. Although the verb "katenguhse{to?}" in l. 11 presents difficulties, it is nevertheless clear that the curator did provide on pledge an advance of 30 staters and that this sum Proklos has now paid toward the price of the horse, in order that he owe but 20 staters remainder against its purchase. The full purchase price to be paid by Proklos is identical with the appraisal of the prefect, and Proklos' eagerness to have this horse may stem from the fact that aestimatio from the prefect indicated that the horse has already been approved for army service. Granios closes his letter by assuring Ignatios that he will not bother to go to Alexandria.