OPES – Oslo Papyri Electronic System

Background and Physical Properties

Material:

Papyrus

Connections:

–

Size:

11.3 x 8.7 cm.

Lines:

15

Publication side:

Recto, only small traces of writing on the verso

Palaeographic description:

–

State of preservation:

Apparently imperfect at the foot

Content

Date:

IInd half of IIIrd century A.D.

Origin:

Unknown place, province of Egypt

Language:

Greek

Genre:

Documentary

Author:

–

Title / Type of text:

Private letter

Content:

Private letter to Nikanor, concerning a herd of pigs

Subjects:

Letter Animal Pig Profession

Named people:

Nikanor Nemesas, mageiros

Named places:

–

English translation:

To Nikanor. Greetings! I got tired of writing to you, but you did not write back to me. If the swineherd is unwilling to come back with the piglets, upon your departure choose the best male piglets of the ones slaughtered, load them on your donkey and send them to me in the night; for the matter is urgent! Or, you must absolutely send along with them Nemesas, the cook; As for the shepherd, send him as well, if he wishes...

Provenance:

Unknown place, province of Egypt

Acquisition:

Acquired 1923 through British Museum, cf. the reports and the inventory list written by H.I.Bell

Acquisition year:

–

Editions

• Eitrem S-Amundsen L, P.Oslo III, 1936, 160

Further Literature

–