A private letter to Athenodoros, addressed as brother, from the Herakleopolite nome, dated in year 22 of Caesar (Augustus). The writer mentions a stay at Busiris, sends back an official order rolled up with the letter, refers to debtors appealing to the strategos, and asks for help with planting ten arouras and for ropes, iron tools or three spades.
In English machine translation
[Fragment B]
[…] to his brother Athenodoros, very many greetings and continual good health, as I pray.
[…] to complete […] as not being able […] I have written twice
and it is […]
[…] before Skolops we are about to […] the overseer (?) to be.
I did not know [that] […] is of the place, so that I should stay in Busiris for three days
and not make my enrolment (?) but throw away the written order […] to have given me […]
[…]. I have sent you the order itself, rolled up with the letter,
since now those who owe the transfers of registration up to the 10th of Mecheir have appealed to the strategos. Please, therefore, by every means […] give to Petobastis, who delivers the letter to you, so that the planting of the ten arouras does not become […];
since Skolops has not allowed us to work at hand, the burnt part of our works […] has been separated from the trenching; and […] purchase of […]; and see to the ropes and the iron, if they are ready; if not, provide us with three other spades.
For the rest, take care of yourself so that you stay healthy, which I consider most important.
Farewell. Year 22 of Caesar, […] 14.
[Fragment B]
[…] now it is […]
Year 22 of Caesar most likely refers to Augustus, i.e. 9/8 BC. The text is very irregular in spelling and several passages are damaged and obscure.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Letter). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.