Private Letters from the Archive of Claudius Tiberianus

Private Letter
P. Mich. Inv. 5393
Karanis, 28-B167D2-E
In this letter to his father, Claudius Terentianus describes his unsuccessful attempts to obtain money (“as” and “aureus” are denominations of coinage) and clothing to go to Alexandria.

... I say to him, “Give me,” I say, “a little money; I shall go,” I say, “to friends of my father.” In the same way, he turned over to me a needle and linens; he gave me not a single as. I, nevertheless, gathered a little money here and there, and I went to... and bought a few things that I wanted. He did not tell me that if there were a favorable opportunity he would go to Alexandria. Likewise he gave me no money but an aureus for my mother, for clothing. “This is,” he said, “what your father told me to do.” When I came, everything was there, even wool; but I found my mother with child; she was able to do nothing. Then after a few days she gave birth, and she was not able to help me. At the same time, my father Ptolemaios had a quarrel about my clothes, and he happened to go to Alexandria with recruits and left me with my mother. Alone we were able to do nothing and by reason of his absence were about to leave that place. My mother [says], “Let us wait for him until he comes, and I go with you to Alexandria and take you to the ship.” Saturninus was already prepared to leave on that day when so great a quarrel broke out. I say to him, “Come, intervene [and see] if you can help my father Ptolemaios.” He paid no more attention to me than to a sponge stick, but [looked only] to his own business and his own affairs. In my astonishment, I say to him as he leaves, “Give me a little money for expenses so that I may be able to go with my things to Alexandria.” He denied that he had any. “Come,” he says, “to Alexandria and I'll give it to you.” I did not go. My mother, since she was without an as, sold the linens so that I might go to Alexandria.