The same ancient text or artifact as recorded by 2 records across 2 independent projects, recognised as one entity by its TM-Text identifier. View on Trismegistos →
An ostracon letter from Herodes to Demetrios reporting that the prefect released 150 elderly men from Kaine (Qena) and promised to release more, including 14 gladiators, on a later visit. He also ordered that they be marked with a wheel-shaped seal on the left hand so they need not fear 'the iron'. It dates to the 2nd century AD and was found at the fort of Dios in the Eastern Desert.
The released men were probably convicts condemned to labour in the desert. 'Iron' (sidērin) may mean chains or the sword; the meaning of the wheel seal is uncertain.”
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below. It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.
Ἡρώδης Δημητρίῳ χαίρειν. ὁ ἡγεμὼν ἀπέλυσεν ἀπὸ Καινῆς ἀνθρώπους ρν τῇ ἡλικίᾳ προβεβηκότας καὶ εἶπε· ἐὰν ἀνέρχωμαι πάλι περισσοτέρους ἀπολύσω καὶ μονομάχας ιδ. καὶ ἐκέλευσε σφραγῖδα λαβεῖν ἡμᾶς κατὰ τῆς ἀριστερὰς χειρὸς τρο- χὸν ἵνα σιδήριν μὴ φοβώμεθα. κόμι- σαι …ων τριδ…κ δέσμην…
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