To Gaius Valerius Flaccus, the Aedile in Rome


Dear Sir,

let me introduce myself: my name is Athamas, son of Orestes from Athens and I’m an merchant and shipowner. I have a business proposal to you, sir.

Though this letter lacks superfluous compliments you hopefully don’t regard me as rude and low born man with unrefined manners. When it is a question of business, there is no reason to waste time in order to flatter an intelligent man like you, sir. I’ll get straight to the point.

Sir, you are the Roman Aedile, ambitious man of noble birth and with great future. I’ve just lost a significant part of my property thanks to Mithridatic wars and other mishaps concerning my family. Only a few well built and large ships are left. But I still have my sources of information and numerous connections to important people, which might be very useful to you, sir.

Briefly sir, you need more money to become the first man in Rome. I need money and more connections to restore my status. Sir, you have a good repution and influence over authorities. I have ten ships. Sir, let’s make a business deal.

I’ll put my ten ships at your disposal with only 20% of the profits going to me. I can even help to arrange cargo. And if authorities began to suspect something about legalities no one can connect the venerable aedile with this business.

My brother living in Rome, Cretheus Orestes, a soap shopkeeper whose patronus you are, sir, is waiting in your courtyard for answer. He is most trustworthy and he has sworn by Athene he doesn’t read our letters. Furthermore his children are living in my household. Sir, if you want to make some inquiries about me, my name is respected and well know by every Greek merchant in Rome.

Yours faithfully,

Athamas, son of Orestes