A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Oath of Lo3'alty 467
the progress of my narrative will show.
I have enumerated
these in such detail because now each one of them is
ruled separately whereas in old times and for a long period
the provinces were governed two and three together.
The others I have not mentioned because some of them Dependent
were acquired later, and the rest, even if they had been already
subdued, were not being governed by the Romans,
but either were left to enjoy their own laws, or had been
turned over to some kingdom. All of them that after this
came into the Roman empire were attached to the possessions
of the man temporarily in power. This, then, was
the division of the provinces.
**^"
III. Oath of Loyalty to Augustus and to his
Family
Sworn by the Paphlagonians
This document, in the Greek language, is preserved in an inscription.
It belongs to the year 3 B.C. The occasion which called for
this warm expression of allegiance may have been the unsettled condition
of Rome's relations with Parthia and x\rmenia; it preceded by
two years the diplomatic mission of Gaius, adopted son (born grandson)
of Augustus, to the Orient.
The act, purely voluntary, testifies
to the zealous affection for the ruling family cherished by the easterly
provinces. The Romans who were engaged in business in Paphlagonia
joined in the oath.
Translated by the editors.
I swear by Zeus, Earth, and Sun, and all the gods and By all the
goddesses, and by Augustus himself that I will be well- ^°
minded to Caesar Augustus and to his children throughout
the whole time of life in word and deed and heart, regarding
as friends whomsoever they so regard, and considering
enemies whomsoever they so consider, that I will spare
neither body nor soul nor life nor children in their interests,
but in every way will endure every danger in their behalf.,