lothia 5 Report post Posted August 23, 2013 (edited) Ave Civitas, I understand that high officials were given (or could issue) Imperial Post Warrants. I understand that the post warrant allows that official to use the Imperial Post to transport persons of material (using the Post resources) What I don't understand is how they were used. From the ND I have: The count of Egypt is entitled to seven post-warrants in the year. My question is: 1. Are these post warrants a consumable authority. That is, can he only use the Imperial Post seven times in a year to move persons or things? (this is what the line seems to indicate but then in unusual circumstances could he apply to the Master Of Offices for a one time' special issue of an warrant - (would that have been possible?) 2. Are these post warrants a limit to the active use of the Imperial Post resources to move things (that is can he only have seven events occurring at the any one time during the year) I thank you in advance for your help. Tom Edited August 23, 2013 by lothia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caldrail 152 Report post Posted August 24, 2013 Interesting conundrum. The later empire was weighed down with bureaucracy so it isn't beyond reason that you're right, but a part of me thinks that the warrant was merely a badge of authority to send messages rather than the message itself. It seems ridiculous that a senior government official could only send a limited number of messages, but then, was this an official limit to prevent using official business to cover nefarious activity? I must consider this further. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bryaxis Hecatee 16 Report post Posted August 24, 2013 As I understand it, the warrant was a kind of badge given to an individual thus allowed to use the imperial post system for a determined amount of time (at the most the length of the holding of office of the delivering magistrate). Reasons for setting such a limit were limited availlability of remounts and the cost of the system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caldrail 152 Report post Posted August 25, 2013 And also the privilege, also the burden of of official pay for all these messengers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites