Letter from Roman soldier Hilarion to a woman named Alis who is presumably his wife.1 BCE.[1191×1946]

“Hilarion to his dearest Alis, heartiest greetings, and to my dear Berous and Apollonarion. Know that we are still even now in Alexandria. Do not worry if when all the others return I remain in Alexandria. I beg and beseech of you to take care of the little child, and as soon as we receive wages I will send them to you. If – good luck to you! – you bear a child, if it is a male, let it live; if it is a female, expose it. You told [our friend] Aphrodisias [to tell mel, 'Do not forget me.' How can I forget you? I beg you therefore not to worry.”