Petition of the widow Maria of Sabbis against imposition of unsown land TM 18981Antinoopolisca. 567

† Petition and supplication from Maria, from the village of Sabbis in the Theodosiopolite nome. The greatest benefaction set before all who have been wronged is the vindication granted by your glorious Highness. I am wronged beyond all reason, I, the wretched widow who am raising many orphaned sons who are minors, and who have never […] in the sowing of wheat […], nor having this as an inherited custom from my parents and ancestors; and so the leading men of my village of Sabbis have attacked me by force, wishing to impose on my widowhood arouras that are being turned over (?) […] to the destitute […] together with my orphaned children, who also lack the food they need, so that I must answer for these lands, which are never sown, for public taxes and all burdens. Therefore I beseech your benevolent Highness, if it please you, to order that I not be dragged, contrary to the custom of my parents and of my whole family, into such an agricultural liturgy and servile care, of which I have no experience and for which my share is impossible […] of the unfailing (?), so that I may not be forced to give up my little plots of land, so that, having obtained this benefaction, I may send up prayers of thanksgiving and hymns to God the creator of all and to Christ the Saviour for the continuance […] of your benevolent Highness and of your sweetest children forever, master. ☧ † Petition and supplication from Maria