Petition by Marcus Lucretius Diogenes of Antinoopolis to the strategos of the Herakleides division of the Arsinoite nome, enclosing his earlier petition to the iuridicus Claudius Herennianus. He asks to be appointed guardian of two minor nephews, sons of his sister who died intestate, and the iuridicus's reply orders the strategos to appoint a guardian. Dated 12 January 225.
In English machine translation
To Aurelius Didymos, strategos of the Arsinoite nome, Herakleides division,
from Marcus Lucretius Diogenes, of Antinoopolis. A copy of the petition which I submitted to Claudius Herennianus, the most excellent iuridicus, who is also administering the prefecture,
and of the subscription I obtained, is appended below, and I ask that what follows be carried out, namely that you appoint a guardian for the minors named below,
so that they suffer no loss, in accordance with the laws. It is as follows: To Tiberius Claudius Herennianus, the most excellent iuridicus, who is also administering the
prefecture by divine command, from Marcus Lucretius Diogenes, of Antinoopolis. Being about to present a request befitting your nobility, I am in hope of obtaining justice from you. I shall set out the matter briefly. In the past month of Phaophi my sister Octavia Lucretia died intestate, leaving as heirs three sons from different marriages, Marci Aurelii Ioulas and Lucretius and Rufus, minors. Now
one of them, Ioulas, is under the power of his own father Marcus Aurelius Heron. He has therefore received
the share falling to him of the estate left behind.
Of the others, Lucretius has been born without a (legal) father, and Rufus's father has died, and they have no one nearer in kinship than I,
Lucretius Diogenes, on whose account I make this request, and I beg you, if it seems good to your fortune, to order a written instruction by subscription to the strategos of the Herakleides division of the Arsinoite nome, where their property is, to appoint me guardian for the orphanhood of the children, so that I may be able to manage what was left to them, so that it may be preserved for them until they come of age.
Farewell. I, Marcus Lucretius Diogenes, son of Marcus Aurelius Sarapion, have submitted this. The strategos, keeping his own risk before his eyes, will see to appointing a guardian for the minors. Sheet 68. Lucretius […]
Year 4 of Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander Pius Felix Augustus, Tybi 17.
The iuridicus (dikaiodotes) was a Roman judicial official, here acting as prefect of Egypt. 'Without a father' (apator) means Lucretius was born outside legal marriage.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Appointment of a Guardian). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.