Home › Spine › TM 164
One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 164

Letter from the commander Porteis to soldiers at Pathyris about fighting with Hermonthis TM 164Pathyris29. Juni 103 v.Chr.

The same ancient text or artifact as recorded by 4 records across 2 independent projects, recognised as one entity by its TM-Text identifier. View on Trismegistos →

A letter from Porteis, a military commander, and the young men of his unit to the soldiers Pates, Pachrates and their comrades at Pathyris, rejoicing at news of fighting against the 'impious' people of Hermonthis. It mentions the appointment of a prostates of the god Nechthpharaus and asks the recipients to assist the letter's bearers; it dates to 29 June 103 BC.

In English machine translation

[recto] Porteis, commander of those in the levy (?), and the young men of the unit, to Pates and Pachrates and all the other soldiers, greeting, and may you continue always to be in good health and prosper. We too are well. Having learned of the battles fought against the impious Hermonthites, we rejoiced greatly. Since then we have appointed as prostates of the very great god Nechthpharaus […] […] […] of the soldiers […] the letter […], whom we have also instructed to greet you kindly on our behalf, we decided to inform you by letter as well. So help them in whatever they may need from you, and write to us about whatever you wish, since everything will be carried out most eagerly; and take care of yourselves so that you stay well. Farewell. Year 14, also Year 11, Pauni 15. [verso] […] to Pates and Pachrates, loyal to the king, and to the other soldiers.

The double regnal year (14 = 11) belongs to the joint reign of Cleopatra III and Ptolemy X Alexander. A prostates was an official or patron of a cult association; 'philobasilistai' means 'loyal to the king'.

Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Brief unter Soldaten). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.

DDbDP-text Full record →

c.jud.syr.eg.1

Papyri.info — DDbDP (Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri) — text · 29. Juni 103 v.Chr. · Pathyris

[r] Πόρτεις ἡγεμὼν τῶν ἐν προχειρισμῶι καὶ οἱ ἐκ τοῦ σημείου νεανίσκοι Πατῆτι καὶ Παχράτηι καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις στρατιώταις πᾶσι χαίρειν καὶ ἐρρωμένοις διὰ παντὸς εὐημερεῖν. ὑγιαίνομεν δὲ καὶ αὐτοί. μεταλαβόντες τοὺς συντετελεσμένους πρὸς τοὺς ἀσεβεῖς Ἑρμωνθίτας ἀγῶνας μεγάλως ἐχάρημε…