The Roman Army, 31 BC–AD 337: A Sourcebook

178 The Roman Army
with his own edict the regulations of Augustus and Tiberius on the requisition
of animals and carts by officials and soldiers journeying past Sagalassus, which
was responsible for transport over a substantial territory in Pisidia (see Mitchell,
JRS 1976:106–31; and texts nos 298–301).
295 New Testament, Luke, 3. 14
Moreover serving soldiers asked him (John the Baptist): ‘And what
shall we do?’ He replied to them: ‘Do not extort money from anyone,
do not use blackmail, be satisfied with your pay’.
The Greek word translated here by ‘extort’ is diaseiein, which literally means
‘to shake down’ (see texts nos 296–7). This passage may refer to the troops of
king Herod, but its relevance is certainly more general, and other passages in
the New Testament indicate the bad reputation of Roman soldiers in the east
(Acts, 10. 1–36; Matthew, 8. 5–10; 27. 27–32; John, 19. 23–24).
296 P. Oxy. 240=EJ 117, papyrus, Egypt, AD 37
[ _ _ _ ] village secretary [son of _ _ _ ] Eremus. [I swear by Tiberius
Cae]sar the new Augustus, Emperor, son of [divine Zeus the Liberator]
Augustus, that I know nothing of anyone being subjected to extortion
(diaseiein) in the vicinity of the above-mentioned villages by the soldier
[ _ _ _ ] and his associates. [If I swear truthfully] may things go well for
me, but if untruthfully, the opposite. Year 23 of Tiberius Caesar
Augustus, 17 Mecheir.
297 SB 9207, papyrus, 2nd C.AD
To the soldier on guard duty (stationarius) 2 drachmae, 1 obol
Gift 240 drachmae
Suckling pig 24 drachmae
To the guard 20 drachmae
For extortion (diaseismos) 2200 drachmae
To two police agents 100 drachmae
To Hermias, police agent 100 drachmae
To the [ _ _ _ ] 2574 drachmae, 3 obols
Second half-year: Pha[menoth]
To the soldier at his demand 500 drachmae
Currency exchange 12 drachmae
8 jars of wine at 10 drachmae 1/8 obol [ _ _ _ ]