Aurelius Symphonias, a farmer from the hamlet of Piaa on the estate of the general Flavius Alexander, acknowledges receiving a new wheel for the estate's water-wheel from the carpenter Phoibammon. He promises to carry out the irrigation properly, pay his rents and obey orders. Written at Oxyrhynchus in May 476.
In English machine translation
[recto]
In the year after the consulship of Leo the Younger, of divine memory, Pachon 13.
To Flavius Alexander, the most magnificent and most glorious stratelates, through you, Flavius Joseph, most splendid administrator of the affairs of the same most glorious man situated in the Oxyrhynchite nome,
Aurelius Symphonias son of Abraamios, from the hamlet of Piaa belonging to the same most glorious man, of the same nome.
A need having arisen now also for the landowner's water-wheel under my charge, belonging to the estate called […], which irrigates a vineyard and arable land, for one wheel (kyklas), I went up to the city and asked that it be supplied to me, and immediately your splendour supplied me with the same wheel, new and fit for drawing water, through Phoibammon the carpenter. Having received it on this present day, which is Pachon thirteenth, for the cultivation of the fifteenth indiction, I agree to carry out the irrigation and water supply blamelessly, to pay the rents faithfully, and to obey in all matters that pertain.
This handwritten agreement, written in a single copy, is valid, and having been asked the formal question I gave my assent.
I, Aurelius Symphonias son of Abraamios, the aforesaid, have made this handwritten agreement, and all its contents are agreeable to me as stated above. I, Papnouthis son of Ioannes, having been asked, wrote on his behalf, he being present and not knowing letters.
☧ Through me, Phem…
[verso]
☧ Handwritten agreement of Symphonias son of Abraamios from Piaa, for receipt of one wheel.
The kyklas is a wheel forming part of the saqiya-type water-lifting machine; the estate's name is omitted in the text. Flavius Alexander's title stratelates is rendered 'general' in the summary.
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 Part 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.