A Loan Contract

Loan of Money
P. Mich. Inv. 478
Antinoopolis, Egypt
In this contract, Flavius Christodoros acknowledges that he borrowed money (“solidus” and “carat” are denominations of coinage) from Aurelia Euphemia and offers garments as a pledge for repayment of his debt. This contract was drawn up on March 1, 569 A.D.

(Cross) Year four of the kingship and consulship of our most godlike lord Flavius Justin, the eternal Augustus, Emperor. Phamenoth fifth of the present second indiction, in Antinoopolis the most glorious.

(Cross) Flavius Christodoros, son of Theodoros, herald of the officium of the praeses in this city of Antinoopolis, which is also the city of my origin, to Aurelia Euphemia, daughter of Theodoros, widow, from the same city of Antinoopolis, greetings.

I, the aforementioned Christodoros, herald, acknowledge by this written bond that I have received in loan from you, from [your] hand to my hands, for my private and necessary needs, the capital sum of one gold solidus less six carats on the public standard of Antinoopolis, total 1 gold solidus less 6 carats on the same public standard.

And this I am prepared to return to you, both I myself and my heirs of whatever degree, whenever you desire, through any agent with power to act in your behalf, along with the monthly interest thereon, that is, two hundred fifty silver talents, without any unpleasantness or delay. All my property present and future is mortgaged to you for this, and for your security I have drawn up for you and signed this document, valid and guaranteed wherever presented; and when asked the formal question concerning all this, I so declared.

(Cross) And it is understood that on this account I have turned over to you in pledge a garment made in Egypt after the Tarsic fashion and an undergarment-shirt.

(2nd hand) Crosses (drawing of 3 crosses) of Christodoros.

(3rd hand) (Cross) Flavius Christodoros, son of Theodoros, the aforementioned herald of the officium of the praeses: this agreement is satisfactory to me, and I will return the above-mentioned solidus with the interest thereon whenever you desire, so that I may recover my pledge as stated.

I, Aurelius Magistor, son of Horouonchios, from Antinoopolis, wrote on his behalf at his request, as he is illiterate; but he first drew the crosses with his own hand. (Cross).