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 from the Roman fort of Didymoi in the Eastern Desert carrying two short Latin letters to Claudius, one from Demetrus and one from Numosis. Demetrus reports he received nothing from the curator for the soldiers' mess-group and baked all his grain into loaves; Numosis asks how Claudius wants things sold and sends greetings to Crescens and Diurponais.
Contubernium was the small group of soldiers sharing a tent or barrack room, here apparently a supply unit; the meaning of 'esabario' is uncertain. The Latin is colloquial, with forms like 'Demetrus' and 'Claudio' for standard spellings.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Latin Letters: Claudius, Crescens and ‘Numosis’). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.
[side convex] Demetrus Claudio salutem. scire te uolo quoniam non accepi a curatore supra contubernio. sicut habui frumentum omnes panes feci. nunc hoc te rogo, serua te ab omnibus donec ego ad te uenio, ne qui te imponant. Numosis Claudio fratri et magistro suo salutem. quomodo …
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