A contract recording the sale of a bronze-coloured male donkey by Aurelius Apollonios of Oxyrhynchus to Aurelius Harpestles, a military exarchos under a praepositus, for 15 talents of silver. It is dated in Pauni of the year 21/13 of Diocletian and Maximian (AD 305) at Oxyrhynchus, and closes with the seller's subscription and a further hand.
In English machine translation
In the consulship of our lords Constantius and Maximianus, the most illustrious Caesars, for the 5th time.
Aurelius Apollonios son of Sarapion, his mother being Dioskorous, from the glorious and most glorious city of the Oxyrhynchites, to Aurelius Harpestles, exarchos, of those reporting to Urrananus (?), praepositus, greetings. I acknowledge that I have sold to you in the city of the Oxyrhynchites a male donkey, bronze-coloured, having shed its second teeth, for the price agreed between us of fifteen talents of silver of the imperial coinage, total 15 talents, which I have received from you in full; and you have received the same donkey from me forthwith, just as it is, not to be returned, and I will guarantee it to you with every guarantee, and I will of necessity immediately repel anyone who proceeds against you on its account, as if by judgement. The sale is valid, and having been asked the formal question I gave my assent. Year 21 and 13 of our lords Diocletian and Maximian Augusti and of Constantius and Maximianus the most illustrious Caesars, Pauni […].
I, Aurelius Apollonios, have sold the aforementioned donkey and have received the fifteen talents of silver of the price […] as aforesaid, and having been asked the formal question he assented […]
Aurelius Zethos […]
An exarchos was a junior military officer, here serving under a praepositus. 'Having shed its second teeth' renders deuteroboles, an age term for the animal.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Sale of a Donkey). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.