OPES – Oslo Papyri Electronic System

Background and Physical Properties

Material:

Papyrus

Connections:

–

Size:

8.5 x 13.5 cm.

Lines:

Recto: 15;Verso: 1

Publication side:

Recto; Verso address?

Palaeographic description:

–

State of preservation:

Fragmented, the top part is lost

Content

Date:

IInd/Ist century B.C.

Origin:

Unknown place, province of Egypt

Language:

Greek

Genre:

Documentary

Author:

–

Title / Type of text:

Private letter

Content:

Letter from a person (a Christian?) urging the addressee not to reject a supplication.

Subjects:

Letter Supplication

Named people:

Ptolemaios Apollophanes

Named places:

–

English translation:

....showing brotherly conduct. If we are saved thanks to divine providence, you will then experience a human being's (intention/heart?) towards another human being. Although I am aware that you do not need any exhortation because you are of a different opinion and have considered the matter fully - and on the whole I should not attempt to state my opinion at greater length to one who is himself able to exhort others - still I adjure you not to reject this supplication, but to come along with Ptolemaios and Apollophanes (in order to save?) me from (NN?). Keep in good health! (Year x, month) 11th.""Verso:Uncertain note.

Provenance:

Probably Oxyrhynchos, Oxyrhynchite nome, province of Egypt

Acquisition:

Purchased by Leiv Amundsen on April 5, 1928 from Ali Mahmud, Behnasa

Acquisition year:

–

Editions

• Eitrem S-Amundsen-L, P.Oslo III, 1936, 148

Further Literature

Discussions

• Arzt-Grabner, P. (2023). Letters and Letter Writing. Brill Schöningh. On the use of forms of οἶδα in transitional disclosure formula, comparing ll. 6-13 to Paul's Epistle to Philemon 21; see p. 137.