Letter demanding release of a rower of the governor's galley TM 22638Panopolis oder Hermopolisca. 400

[recto] To my lords brothers Victor and Maximus and the other Victor and Theonas, Victor and Kollouthos, headmen of the governor's galley under Apion the chief helmsman, greetings. You have not acted well, nor was it without risk for you, in detaining our rower Sennouthes, son of Victor, of Hermopolis, for a liturgy that does not concern him. For since his father has served for a long time in the same galley and supplies wages on his own behalf and contributes to us by his paternal succession, the man detained by you is a rower of that same galley belonging to us. Therefore, knowing the impropriety of what has happened, make haste to release him and keep him for so important a service of the governor, if indeed you wish to avoid great enmity. But if you persist in the same abuse, you will come to regret it, so as to experience the anger of the court, and no less also to incur penalties. Be willing, then, to free the detained man from all abuse, knowing what follows; for if you are persuaded by this letter of ours, we think that we ourselves can also be of use to you in the office in whatever you may wish locally. I pray for your health for many years. {I pray for your health for many years.} [verso] Deliver to Victor and Maximus and the other Victor and Theonas […] […] and from Victor and Kollouthos, headmen.