"While Almo was away on the expedition against the nomads of
the plateau," Vocco narrated, "Pennasius fell ill, was allowed to
resign his governorship and Grittonius took his place. On Almo's
return Grittonius complimented him most highly and promised
him any reward he asked for. Almo amazed him by asking for a
full and honorable discharge from the army. Grittonius
expostulated with him but Almo held him to his promise. In
spite of the governor's appeals to his pride and to his patriotism
he insisted, and Grittonius gave him his full official discharge.
At once Almo applied for permission to sell himself as a slave.
This so astounded Grittonius that he made him repeat the
application before witnesses and give his reasons. Almo
explained that he had always been devoted to horseracing
and that he wanted formally and regularly to article himself
to one of the racing companies as a charioteer; that he had
always craved that life and had longed for it more and more
as his career as a soldier went on. He said there was no use
in his continuing a life he detested, nor missing the happiness
he anticipated as a charioteer.

"Grittonius had him examined by a committee of the most reputed
physicians of the province. They reported Almo entirely sane.
Grittonius wanted to hold the matter over until he had special
permission from the Emperor. Almo craftily maintained that
Grittonius had been made governor with the fullest powers
on all lines specifically to save the Emperor from being bothered
about such trifles. Grittonius yielded. The necessary papers
were drawn up, all the depositions were made out in duplicate.
Every formality was fulfilled and Almo was publicly sold as a