As representatives of Greek culture in the south of Egypt, the youths of this gymnasium could expect to receive the support of the king in Alexandria. But it seems that at least some of them opposed the king during the ensuing civil war of 132-129 B.C., because the names of Ptolemy VIII and Kleopatra the wife have been deliberately erased from the inscription, in a kind of damnatio memoriae; see C. Fischer-Bovet, "Army and Society in Ptolemaic Egypt", p. 286 ( Google Books ).
There is a German translation of the inscription by S. Pfeiffer, "Griechische und lateinische Inschriften zum Ptolemäerreich und zur römischen Provinz Aegyptus", no. 28 ( Google Books ).
[A] . . . . . . [therefore it is resolved . . .] by the youths to inscribe this decree [and the letter from the kings] concerning these matters on a stone stele of the neighbouring . . . [and] to set it up in the gymnasium by the existing [image of . . .] the first friend and founder of the gymnasium, so that . . . from the most revered kings may be commemorated [for all time] . . .
[B] [King Ptolemaios and] queen Kleopatra the sister [ and queen Kleopatra the wife to the members of the gymnasium in Omboi ], greetings. Alkimachos and Themistokles, who were sent by you, have handed over [your petition to us], and [we have written the letter] attached below to Boethos, the kinsman and strategos. Farewell. Year 35, Gorpiaios 29, Phamenoth 29.
[C] [King Ptolemaios and] queen Kleopatra the sister [and queen Kleopatra the wife to Boethos their brother, greetings. We have enclosed below for you a copy] of the letter [which] the members of the gymnasium at Omboi [wrote] to us. You will do well therefore [to comply] with the [? memorandum] . . .
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