Petition of Flavius to the governor for release from the office of riparius TM 35311Oxyrhynchos2. Hälfte V

From Flavius. The purity of your justice will surely take pity on me too, an old man who has suffered, contrary to agreement, also mockery at the hands of Philoxenos the devoted magistrianus. For he gave me his sworn word and promised that he would certainly fulfil, without any reminder, everything that is required for the liturgy of the riparius, providing me also, for assistance, with servants and allies (symmachoi) and others who are obliged to keep guard over the city; and not only this, but that if any outrage happened to occur, he himself would make good the loss to those suffering the damage, and would also furnish everything else pertaining to this liturgy. But he has departed from all of this, and disregards me, wretch that I am, every day hung up by ropes and cut to pieces with blows on my body, having neither brother nor kinsman nor son able to share my suffering, so that I am now in misfortune as to the very breath of life. Therefore I offer my supplications to your authority, that I may be freed from this liturgy, and that the original holder be compelled either himself or through any person whatever to discharge this liturgy, since I have renounced it and am in no way able to endure this inescapable and most burdensome liturgy, so that I, having obtained this, may give thanks to the unswerving ears of your authority, our most magnificent lord governor. †