A receipt in which Aurelius Epimachos, a registered farmer on an estate of the patrician Flavius Strategius near Oxyrhynchus, acknowledges receiving a new axle for the estate water-wheel he operates, the old one having been returned to the estate house. It was written on his behalf by Aurelius Menas because he was illiterate, and dated 30 December 530.
In English machine translation
[recto]
† In the consulship of Flavii Orestes and Lampadius, the most illustrious, Tybi 4, indiction 9.
To Flavius Strategius, the all-praiseworthy and most glorious ex-consul, general and patrician, foremost citizen both of the city of the Herakleopolitans and of this illustrious city of the Oxyrhynchites, through Menas, his servant, who makes the stipulation and acquires on behalf of his own master, the same most magnificent man, Aurelius Epimachos alias Apimas, son of Phoibammon, mother Termouthis, originating from the hamlet of Pangouleeion, an estate of your magnificence in the Oxyrhynchite nome, registered farmer, greetings. Since there was need again now, for the estate water-wheel under my charge called that of the Five Arouras, which irrigates vineyard and arable land, of one axle, I went up to the city and asked your magnificence to order that the said axle be provided to me, and at once your magnificence, taking forethought for the upkeep of its own affairs, provided me with the said axle through Moison, servant of the same most magnificent man, new, serviceable, suitable for irrigation and satisfactory, which I received for the completion of all the machine's equipment on this present day, which is Tybi 4 of the current year 207/186, of the present ninth indiction, for the irrigation of the tenth indiction, the old axle having been brought down and handed over to the great estate house. And as proof of the receipt I have made this handwritten document, which is valid, written in a single copy, and having been asked the formal question I have agreed.
† I, Aurelius Epimachos son of Phoibammon, the aforementioned, have made the handwritten document, having received the new axle, and everything is agreed by me as stated above. I, Aurelius Menas son of the late Theodoros, having been asked, wrote on his behalf since he is illiterate.
☧ Executed through me, Philoxenos […] Tybi 4, indiction 9.
423
[verso]
† Handwritten document of Epimachos son of Phoibammon from the hamlet of Pangouleeion, for the receipt of one axle.
The 'registered farmer' (enapographos georgos) was a tenant bound to a great estate, here that of the Apion family's Strategius. The year 207/186 refers to the Oxyrhynchite civic eras; the notary's subscription is written in Greek in Latin letters.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Receipt for an Axle of a Water - wheel). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.