A contract from Hibis in the Great Oasis in which Polydeukes also called Mersis, a freed gravedigger, appoints Aurelius Sarapion also called Philosarapis to register in Alexandria, before the archidikastes, the private deed by which his former owners Petechon and Petosiris freed him and gave him a third of a house. The manumission deed is copied in full, followed by witnesses and the notary's subscription.
In English machine translation
[fragment 1]
Year 4 of Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius Felix Augustus […] outside the suburbs. Polydeukes, also called Mersis, freedman of Petechon and Petosiris, both sons of Petechon […], gravedigger from the city of the Hibites, acknowledges to Aurelius Sarapion also called Philosarapis that he has appointed him, as he sails down to Alexandria, to register publicly before the archidikastes a handwritten deed of the manumission made for him, of which this is a copy:
"Petechon and Petosiris, both sons of Petechon, to Polydeukes also called Mersis, gravedigger from the city of the Hibites, greeting. We acknowledge that we have set you free under Zeus, Earth and Sun, from now for all time, in return for the loyalty which you have shown towards us […] and that it shall not be permitted to us to bring a charge […] concerning slavery from now for all time […] to proceed against you concerning slavery or on behalf of […] because this is what we have decided; and that we have given you a third share of a house […] neighbours: on the south, a street […] by the manumission […]
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[fragment 2+3]
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[…] because this is what we have decided. This manumission has been written in two copies. Let it be valid and secure as if deposited in a public archive, and having been asked the formal question we acknowledged it. I, Aurelius […], wrote on their behalf […]
[…]
[…] We, Petechon and Petosiris, both sons of Petechon, the aforesaid, have made the aforesaid manumission on all the terms it contains. I, Aurelius Sarapion also called Philosarapis, wrote on their behalf, having been asked.
I, Aurelius Eirenion […], am witness.
I, Aurelius Psennesis son of Psais, am witness."
Which single handwritten deed he has handed over to him for public registration […]
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[fragment 4]
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to the representative […]
Hierax son of Dionysides […]
Psenamounis also called […]
Aurelius Eirenion […]
Aurelius Marianus son of Paapis.
I, Aurelius Basileides also called Sarapodoros, notary, have executed the document.
Private manumission deeds had to be publicly registered (demosiosis) in Alexandria through the archidikastes to gain full validity. Much of the text, including names, is restored by the editor.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Mandate to register a manumission and gift). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.