the same size as standard American paper, or European A4. For a longer document sheets could be glued side by side to make a roll. The writer used a reed pen and black ink made from soot, gum and water (see 2 John 12; 3 John 13). Since the imperial postal system was not available for the letters of ordinary people, they had to send their letters with a friend, a slave, or a stranger travelling to the desired destination (compare Col. 4:7–9; 1 Pet. 5:12). Some letter-writers used a secretary (Latin