One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 220305

Letter from monks requesting help and water TM 220305Theben

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

A Coptic letter on an ostracon from the Theban region, sent by a group of monks to a fellow brother. They refer to an earlier message sent through Sael about a solidus, ask that certain people be sent to help, and urgently request water because they have no camels available.

In English machine translation

[recto] We greet your honoured brotherhood. According to how we sent to you yesterday through Sael concerning the solidus for clothing (?): behold now, the need has arisen; we have sent to your brotherhood so that you may do the kindness and send the brother Psate to [...]amprepei, or Pesynte the [...], with his daughter, and they come [...] and they bind the baskets (?) [verso] We have no camels; they have gone out. Let them find a way and fill the jar (?) with water for us, for we are greatly distressed, so that we may give thanks to you. Hurry, let your brotherhood be zealous to send it to us quickly. If you find a way, come in [...] it, and we will find you well. Give it to [...] honoured and holy, through the most humble brothers.

Several words (ϩⲃⲟⲥ 'clothing', ⲡⲟⲣⲕ, ⲕⲟⲧ) are uncertain in this context and the translation of them is tentative. The letter belongs to the monastic correspondence of western Thebes, probably 7th-8th century, though no date is given in the records.

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

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o.frange.767

Papyri.info — DDbDP (Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri) — text · Theben

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(untitled)

Papyri.info — HGV (Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis) — metadata · Fouilles belges dans la nécropole thébaine, inv. 291820 · Theben