OPES – Oslo Papyri Electronic System

Background and Physical Properties

Material:

Papyrus

Connections:

–

Size:

26 x 9.7 cm.

Lines:

Recto - 19;Verso - 1

Publication side:

Recto; Verso address

Palaeographic description:

Written along the fibres, on the back, is the address.

State of preservation:

–

Content

Date:

August 23, 1 A.D.

Origin:

Unknown place, province of Egypt

Language:

Greek

Genre:

Documentary

Author:

Dionysios

Title / Type of text:

Private letter

Content:

Letter from Dionysios to Theon, about purchase of fish and beans, warning about fraud

Subjects:

Letter Fish Beans Lentils Baskets Fraud

Named people:

Dionysios Theon, also referred to as Theonas Theonas, also referred to as Theon Herakles, son of Petalos Petalos, father of Herakles Androus

Named places:

–

English translation:

Dionysios to his dearest Theon, very many greetings and for ever good health. When you reminded me of buying fish, I asked a friend of mine to buy 60 pigfishes for a drachma. I gave them to the person who came from you. But he himself bought 30 fishes for a drachma. I also gave him a basket. See to it that he does not cheat you, as he usually cheats in business affairs. When he himself made a buy, he only got 30 fishes, but 60 for you.And send me five artabas of beans instead of lentils. By the way, take care of yourself so that you are well. Give greetings to all of yours, and to Herakles, son of Petalos. Goodbye. In the Emperor's 30th year, 30. Mesore. - And the basket, send it to me with Androus. Verso: Give to Theonas.

Provenance:

Unknown place, province of Egypt

Acquisition:

Purchased by Eitrem in Egypt

Acquisition year:

1920

Editions

• Eitrem S-Amundsen L, P.Oslo I, 1931, 47, picture: Pl. V
  ▾ Corrections:

  • Wilcken U, APF 10 (1932) p. 86 (l. 15)Schmidt KFW, Göttingische gelehrte Anzeigen 194 (1932) p. 283 (l. 5, 14)Ziegler R, ZPE 106 (1995) p. 194 (date)

Further Literature

Catalogues

TM 21524 / Grammateus / PapPal

Translations

• Arzt-Grabner, P. (2023). Letters and Letter Writing. Brill Schöningh. Translation and brief commentary pp. 238–239.

Discussions

• Arzt-Grabner, P. (2023). Letters and Letter Writing. Brill Schöningh.
  • On the use of ὅρα or ὁρᾶτε l. 8 in private letters and in letters of the New Testament as a verbal expression for intensifying a request; see pp. 148 & 239.
  • On the inclusion in the letter closing of secondary greetings (ll. 15-16) forwarded to individuals in the letter recipient's vicinity; see p. 165.
  • On the inclusion in the letter closing of a final health wish (ll. 14-15; Lat. formula valetudinis finalis); see p. 171.
  • On the trustworthiness of individuals conveying letters and goods; see p. 196.

Kelly B, Petitions, litigation, and social control in Roman Egypt, Oxford 2011. p. 55 n. 68