Petition of Isidoros to the prefect about arson of his threshing floor TM 10396Kom Aushim (Karanis)299 A.D.

To Aelius Publius, the most eminent prefect of Egypt, from Aurelius Isidoros son of Ptolemaios, from the village of Karanis in the Arsinoite nome. Lawless deeds, my lord prefect, are checked by no one else but by your courage. Now, since I had a threshing floor laid out with the harvest of 11 arouras in the plain of the same village, and when I went on the 27th of the month Mesore of the past year to inspect it in order to complete the agricultural work, I found it set on fire by criminals. Immediately following the proper procedure I submitted attested petitions to the office of the strategos, asking that an assistant be sent to inspect and report, as indeed he did report. On making inquiries I learned from evidence who had dared to do this, namely Akotas son of Germanos and Chairemon son of Ptolemaios son of Harba…, from the same village of Karanis, and Heron son of Mouranos from the village of Ptolemais Nea, since I inquired of the village public officials Sotas and Leonides who might have appeared in that place on that day, and they put forward these very names; and concerning this I lodged other attested petitions, and I have taken refuge with your magnificence to make this petition. Since then, lord, my opponents have also come down here, I ask and beg that you order them, being here, to provide sureties, or that they be instructed through your office to remain in attendance at your spotless court, so that when the case is heard there may be no hindrance, and having obtained this I may acknowledge my gratitude to you always. Farewell. I, Aurelius Isidoros son of Ptolemaios, have submitted this. I, Aurelius Sarapion, wrote on his behalf since he does not know letters.