Petition of Soknobraisis priests for exemption from dike work TM 14157Bakchias, Herakleidou meris, Arsinoite nome, province of Egypt7th August, 178 A. D. or later

To Flavius Apollonios, strategos of the Arsinoite nome, Herakleides division, from Sisois son of Orsenouphis and Horos son of Peteuris and Peteuris son of Peteuris, the 3, together with other priests of the notable temple of Soknobraisis of the village of Bakchias. Of the petition which we delivered to you, bearing the subscription of the most excellent high priest, the copy is appended. We ask that, in accordance with the subscription, you order that our rights be safeguarded. Year 18 of the Aurelii Antoninus and Commodus Caesars the lords, Mesore 14. [Appended] is the petition below. There is also the copy of the letter: Flavius Apollonios, strategos of the Arsinoite nome, Herakleides division, to Apollonios, royal scribe of the same division, his dearest, greetings. Of the petition presented to me under seal, bearing the subscription of Ulpius Serenianus the most excellent high priest, in the name of the priests and pastophoroi of the village of Bakchias, asking not to be led in person to the work on the dikes, let the copy be kept […] […] […] […]maios, assistant: I received the petition (?) […] as follows: To Apollonios, royal scribe of the Arsinoite nome, Herakleides division, from Sisois son of Orsenouphis and Horos son of Peteuris and Peteuris son of Peteuris, the 3 priests, together with others, of the god Soknobraisis of the village of Bakchias. Of the petition which we submitted to the most excellent high priest Ulpius Serenianus, with certain supporting documents attached, and which was sent to you by the strategos of the nome, we have appended the copy, so that we may be exempted from working in person on the dike works. We have also appended a copy of the letter written by Potamon, strategos of the Herakleides division of the Arsinoite nome, to Serapion, shore-guard, concerning us, and the list of us man by man: men 15, minor 1. Appended are these proceedings from the beginning, and the letter sent to Serapion the shore-guard by Potamon the strategos, and the list of all of us man by man.