Serapis Slave Diaries

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Translation Book 2 78-79, 81-82 Riot I I was living in the house of Barbillus for a long time. One day I hurried to the city with a slave, because I was wanting to visit Clemens. He was keeping a shop near the harbour of Alexandria. The slave, who was leading me, was an Egyptian boy. In the city was a huge crowd, which was filling the streets. Merchants were walking through the streets and conducting business with each other. Women and slave girls were crowding the shops; the shopkeepers were showing dresses to the women and slave girls. Many slaves were running through the streets of the city. It was difficult for us to walk through the streets, because the crowd was massive. At last we arrived at the harbour of Alexandria. There…show more content…
We must hurry now, because it is a long way. You should be doing business with other merchants, shouldn’t you? Bye! P: I am idle today. It suits me to go to the temple of Serapis. I can tell you about Serapis. (Plancus was going, chattering with us. He began to tell us about all the monuments). B: (whispering) Our friend is more talkative than a parrot and more stubborn than an ass. P: Now we have arrived at the temple of Serapis. Look at the temple! How magnificent! Look at the sanctuary! Have you seen the statue, which is in the sanctuary? The god sits there with great dignity. There is a basket on the head of the god. For Serapis is the god who looks after crops. We have come here just at the right time. It is four o’clock. Now the priests are accustomed to make a sacrifice on the altar. (Suddenly a trumpet sounded. The priests came out of the sanctuary of the temple to the altar). Priest: You lot, who are here, be quiet! Be quiet, those who wish to see this sacrifice! (All the men and women fell silent at once). B: (smiling and whispering) Well, well! Do you see Plancus? When the priest demanded silence, even he was quiet at last. It is a miracle. The god has saved
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