Two fragments of a lease of house plots and farmland at Oxyrhynchus, in which Aurelius Sarapion, a mounted guardsman (singularis) of the prefect of Egypt, leases property to Syros also called Sarapion. The lessee may sow whatever crops he likes except woad, must return the buildings clean with doors and keys, and signs through a scribe because he is illiterate. It is dated 27 September 258.
In English machine translation
[Fragment A]
Aurelius Sarapion son of Asklepios, singularis of the prefect of Egypt, being on military service, has leased to Syros also called Sarapion, his mother being […]aliane also called Amnessous, daughter of Serenos, […]
[Fragment B]
[…] of the lease-and-receipt, the lessee shall use the leased property without hindrance for the period […] to sow with grain and to cut for fuel(?) with whatever crops the lessee chooses, except woad and ochomenion(?); and at the end of the period he shall hand over the house plots clean of dung and all filth, together with the doors and keys belonging to them, and the land free from public dues and all taxes and surcharges of every kind. The lease-and-receipt is valid, and having been asked by each other they agreed.
Year 6 of the Emperors Caesars Publius Licinius Valerianus and Publius Licinius Valerianus Gallienus, Germanici Maximi, Pii, Felices, and of Publius Licinius Cornelius Saloninus Valerianus, the most illustrious Caesar, Augusti, Thoth 30.
(2nd hand) I, Aurelius Syros also called Sarapion, the aforesaid, have leased […] all and […] the year's period […] and all the rents as aforesaid, and having been asked I agreed. I, Aurelius […], wrote on his behalf since he does not know letters.
A singularis was a soldier of the governor's personal guard. The document is a misthapoche, a lease combined with a receipt for rent paid in advance.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Two fragments of a lease of a house and land). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.