A payslip made from a sheet of papyrus shows a Roman soldier was left penniless 1,900 years ago after the military took out fees for certain items. It shows Gaius Messius received 50 denarri, but fees for barley money, food, and military equipment were taken out that totaled to the amount of his full pay
The payslip was found where the Romans may have set up camp during the Siege of Masada and is dated for after the war – suggesting it was payment for participation.
The document’s translation is available in the Database of Military Inscriptions and Papyri of Early Roman Palestine.
It reads: ‘The fourth consulate of Imperator Vespasianus Augustus.’
‘Accounts, salary. Gaius Messius, son of Gaius, of the tribe Fabia, from Beirut.’
The document was made out to a Gaius Messius, who participated in the Siege of Masada that was one of the last battles during the First Jewish-Roman War
‘I received my stipendium of 50 denarii, out of which I have paid barley money 16 denarii. […]rnius: food expenses 20(?) denarii; boots 5 denarii; leather strappings 2 denarii; linen tunic 7 denarii.’
https://armyofromanpalestine.com/0022