A letter, on the finest papyrus arrives for Catulus Aemilius bearing the seal of the Pharaoh of Aegyptus

Old Man

It would appear I’ve won the bet we made in Alexandria those many years ago. I’ve held onto my Kingdom and shall die as Pharaoh, in Aegyptus and not as an expatriate King living on the outskirts of Roman society as you had envisioned. Not to be vulgar, old friend, but this morning my stool was black and my urine filled with blood. The doctors are unaware of my malady, but my increasing fever and general malaise lead them to believe I shall not live through the week. As such, there is much to be done before I die. As you know, Aegyptus is a difficult prize to hold onto. My only heir, my dearest daughter Arsinoe is a mere 5 years old and certainly incapable of holding her throne without being used as a puppet by these foppish idiots I call my ministers. She has an older cousin who is a possible successor, but he is crippled in mind and body. As so you see my dilemma. What to do about Aegyptus? I have thought long and hard upon this issue and come to a decision that I think you will find to be a fantastic price for you to pay for losing our bet.

I intend to send Arsinoe to live with you and to gift my throne to the Senate and the People of Rome.

You are shocked, I am sure, but what a fantastic little joke this is. You will be responsible for guarding and rearing an Aegyptian Princess, which will be no small task. And your government will be burdened with the ruling the most rebellious nation on earth.

How I wish I could see your face.

I have filed my will with the Vestals already, which should help to ease the transition legally on your end, but if I were you, dear Catulus, I would dispatch a Legion here immediately.

As for my finances, all of that has been outlined in my will. The trusts we hold together are to go to you along with a chunk of my fortune. Repayment of that little loan you gave me when I was a teenager and a pauper. The rest is to be held in trust for my Daughter and another portion is to go to Rome to help ease the transition.

Do take care of my Daughter and my Kingdom, Old Friend. Your guidance and friendship over the years has been a gift I shall never be able to repay and when I reach the afterlife, I’ll let them know you are coming.

Farewell my friend,

His Royal Majesty
Ptolemy Soter Horemheb
Beloved of Ra and Isis
King of Upper and Lower Aegyptus and all her territories.