OPES – Oslo Papyri Electronic System

Background and Physical Properties

Material:

Papyrus

Connections:

–

Size:

10 x 12.6 cm.

Lines:

Recto - 13; Verso - 2

Publication side:

Recto; address on the Verso

Palaeographic description:

Written by a skilled, probably professional hand. The writing is fluent, beautiful, impersonal.

State of preservation:

The lower half of the papyrus is lost.

Content

Date:

Ist century A.D.

Origin:

Unknown place, province of Egypt

Language:

Greek

Genre:

Documentary

Author:

Heraklous

Title / Type of text:

Private letter

Content:

Letter from Heraklous to Pompeius, begging him to come immediately to sort out(?) a quarrel which has arisen at the death of Apeis, possibly in connection with an inheritance.

Subjects:

Letter Death Inheritance

Named people:

Heraklous Pompeius Apeis Serapous Argyrios

Named places:

–

English translation:

Heraklous to Pompeius greeting and all good wishes for his health. As soon as the letter reaches you, come immediately. Since Apeis died, Serapous never stops pestering me at home. Since she demands: 'Produce the memoranda', she stands there saying: 'Two memoranda'. I do not give them. Argyrios has utterly confirmed us, saying: 'You have not paid the sales tax'. If the letter reaches you, come immediately. If not, I shall leave the house. If you don't come, I shall arrange about the house (?) and come to you in order that... (The papyrus breaks off)Verso:(Traces of the address)

Provenance:

Unknown place, province of Egypt

Acquisition:

Purchased in 1934 from Maurice Nahman, Cairo

Acquisition year:

–

Editions

• Eitrem S-Amundsen L, Aegyptus 31, 1951, 170-181
  SB: VI 9121

Further Literature

White, John L., Light from ancient letters, Philadelphia c1986 (no. 92, p. 143-144)Bagnall & Cribiore, Women's letters from ancient Egypt 300 BC-AD 800, 2006, p.130-131