A certificate (libellus) submitted during the persecution of Decius, in which Aurelius Gaion declares to the sacrifice commissioners of Oxyrhynchus that he, his wife Taos and their children Ammonios, Ammonianos and Thekla have sacrificed, poured libations and tasted the offerings. It was written for him by Aurelius Sarapion alias Chairemon because Gaion was illiterate, on 27 June 250.
In English machine translation
[recto]
To those chosen to oversee the sacrifices of the city of the Oxyrhynchites,
from Aurelius Gaion son of Ammonios, his mother being Taeus. Having always been accustomed to sacrifice and pour libations and show reverence to the gods, in accordance with what was ordered by the divine decree, now also in your presence I have sacrificed and poured libations and tasted the sacrificial offerings, together with Taos my wife and Ammonios and Ammonianos my sons and Thekla my daughter, through me, and I request that you certify this for me. Year 1 of Imperator Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Pius Felix Augustus, Epeiph 3. I, Aurelius Gaion, have submitted this. I, Aurelius Sarapion also called Chairemon, wrote on his behalf since he does not know letters.
[verso]
[… 10 lines lost …]
Besas, Psenamounis
This is one of the libelli required under the emperor Decius' edict ordering universal sacrifice; the daughter's name Thekla is notable as a name often borne by Christians. The officials' countersignature, expected on the verso, is lost apart from two names.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Declaration of Pagan Sacrifice). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.