To Aurelius Marcianus, centurion, from Aurelius Sarapion son of Pasei, of the village of Philadelphia. There is nothing more dreadful or harder to bear than maltreatment. At the time of life which I have reached, being eighty years old and more, I am serving blamelessly as an Arab archer. A sow having escaped from my daughter in the village and being reported to be at the house of the soldier Julius, I went to him to demand his oath about this matter, and he laying hands on me, old as I am, in the village in the middle of the day, as if there were no laws, belaboured me with blows in the presence of Nepotianus, steward of the most eminent Valerius Titanianus, and of Maurus and Ammonius, Arab archers, so that they, being shocked to see me beaten, separated us and I barely overcame his attempt on my life. I am compelled to present this petition and to request that he be arrested in order that his audacious behaviour may receive punishment ; and I hold him to account. Farewell.
{Identification} Sarapion, aged about 84 years, with a scar on the right knee.
{Dated} The 6th year of the Emperors and Caesars Marci Julii Philippi Pii Felices Augusti, Hathur 26.
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