Letter from Apollinarius to his mother Tasoucharion about life at Bostra TM 17239Bostra (Arabia)February 20, 108 A.D.

[recto] Apollinarius to Tasoucharion, my lady mother, very many greetings. Before all else I pray that you are well, for it is my wish to greet you in good health [...] me [...] and livelihood. For you [...] you, if I know in the [...] For not yet [...] of my parents, but above all [it is in my] prayers. For whenever I remember you, I neither eat nor drink but weep [...] to me alone [...] that [...] I am, and to this [...]. I give thanks to Sarapis and Good Fortune that, while all are toiling the whole day cutting stones, I as a principalis go about doing nothing. And I received money (?), and I wanted to send you a gift from the Tyrian goods, and because you did not write back I have trusted no one, because of the length of the journey. For here fine cloaks and ebony and pinaria (?) and perfumes are brought in plentifully. Therefore I ask you, my lady, [...] and cheerfully to be glad. For here too things are well. For if you are distressed, I am anxious. So take the trouble to ask a friend of mine at Alexandria so that you may send me through him linen of tow. For there is none here, and great heat occurs. I ask you much, my lady Julia, not to be distressed at all, knowing that you surpass doubly for me [...]. [...] I pray, after the gods, to greet you in good health. And if you received the set of [...] and the [...] from Ploutos [...], I ask you to write back to me without hesitation about your welfare, so that I too may have comfort. Greet Julia, Sarapias my lady sister, mama Sambathis, [...] Eros, little Ptolemaios, [...] the brother, Ammonous and their children, Betes, Deios, Ptollas, [...] Ptolema[...], Ptollous. Klemes [...] came with his man. I greet all those at home. I pray for your health and happiness. Mecheir 25. [verso] [To Tasoucharion] mother, deliver; to Julia [...] of the principalis (?) Kretikos.