Petition of Aurelia Ataris to Abinnaeus about assault over a debt TM 10042Hermopolis (Arsinoites)26. Aug. 346

To Flavius Abinnaeus, prefect of the ala of soldiers stationed in the camp of Dionysias, from Aurelia Ataris, daughter of Melas, veteran, landowner in the village of Hermoupolis. On the third of the epagomenal days, using I know not what reason and in the manner of robbers, at about the tenth hour, when I was demanding the debt which he owes me, Poleion shut me up in his house together with Apion, son of Horion the eirenarch, and Kyriake, sister of Poleion, and they all but killed me with blows. I took flight from his house and threw myself down from above because of their outrage and the violence which I suffered from them, and I lie at the point of death. For this very reason I ask and beseech your benevolence, lord, to arrest these people and send them on to my lord the dux; for it is his task to punish those who dare such things. And if I obtain this, I shall acknowledge my gratitude to you, lord. Farewell. I, Aurelia Ataris, have submitted (this). In the consulship of our masters Constantius for the 4th time and Constans for the 3rd time, Augusti, Epagomenal day 3.