P.Mich.inv. 497 / Recto

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Record Details

Inventory Number

P.Mich.inv. 497

Processing Number

2365

Section/Side

Recto + Verso

Image Side

Recto

Background and Physical Properties

Publ./Side

Recto (written across the fibres) + Verso

Material

Pap

Size

29.9 x 23.5 cm

Items

1

Lines

Recto - 18;

Verso - 2

Mounted

Yes

Negative

No

Conservation Status

Top left corner broken; the papyrus is torn extensively especially in the middle

Palaeographic Description

Recto written across the fibres; a clear, flowing Byzantine hand (Gilliam)

Status

published

Library

Ann Arbor

Contents

Date

VIth century A.D.

Origin

Unknown

Provenance

Unknown

Acquisition

purchased in Egypt by B.P. Grenfell and F.W. Kelsey in March-April 1920

Language

Greek

Genre

Documentary

Author

Unknown woman

Type of Text/Title of Work

Private Letter

Content

Letter sent apparently by a woman concerning the purchase of wool for herself and for another woman - she has had difficulty finding wool, and she asks for money to pay for it. Note that while the writer uses the feminine with the first person in the body of the text (l. 11), the address indicates that the letter came from a man, Hyakinthos - who could be a brother with whom she was staying

Subject Headings

Letter

Priest (Christian)

Textile industry

Persons

Patrikeia (Patricia);

Apa Romanos;

Theodote (sister of Philoxenos and of the writer);

(unnamed) mother of Philoxenos;

Philoxenos;

Hyakinthos, brother of Philoxenos (and of the writer?)

Geographica

Terythis

Translation

I have taken the liberty of writing to your fraternity for purchase in advance, so that at my request you would purchase in advance a tremis' worth of wool for me and a solidus' worth for the lady Patricia who needs some. I heard her tell Apa Romanos, "Go to Terythis," and I asked her to let me go with him when he goes and she remembered to let me go with Apa Romanos. When he arrived there, we did not find it ready, but they gave us a fixed time for delivery to him on the following day. Since I still need a tremis' worth of wool and they agreed with me to bring me my one tremis' worth also, would your fraternity kindly send me one tremis from there, so that I may not be found wronging the villagers of Terythis. And with God's help, when I come to town I shall render an account to my master. Please receive six melons from the letter carrier without charge. Do not fail to send me a reply. Many greetings to you and obeisance to my brother. Do not be (annoyed?) that I write to you as a brother; the fact is that I write to you as my master. Many greetings to our common sister Theodote, and especially to your lady mother. Send me the little one and take care of . . .

(Verso)

Deliver to my sweetest brother Philoxenos . . . From his brother Hyakinthos.

Papyri.info Link

https://papyri.info/apis/michigan.apis.2365

Information on Publications

Publications

Series and Volume	Editor	Year	Pg/Nr	Photo	SB	Preferred Citation	Corrections
ZPE 17	Gignac FT	1975	10-14	SB XIV 11492	Gignac FT, ZPE 17, 10-14, 1975 -- SB XIV 11492

Cataloging

Cataloger

PH

Year Begin

500

Year End

599

Technical Details

Collection

Advanced Papyrological Information System (APIS UM)

Image Size

7488 x 5498

File Size

5 MB

Record

2365

Link to this Item

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/a/apis/x-2365/497r.tif content_copy

Related Links

IIIF

Manifest

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/apis:2365:497R.TIF content_copy