Petition of Didymos to the dioiketes for delay of a summons to Alexandria TM 23540Hermopolis23. Juli 210

To Caluentius Adiutor, the most excellent dioiketes, from Didymos son of Maikenas, former kosmetes and former gymnasiarch, councillor of Hermopolis the great, ancient and splendid. Philammon, the strategos of the nome, sent instructions to me on your order to come down to Alexandria within the thirtieth of Epeiph, on the petition of Petronius Leius, who wishes to accuse me although he is not a public accuser, nor has he given security to the treasury for the penalty for false accusation. I would have wished, if it had been possible, to set out at once and take part in your jurisdiction, but the necessity of the public measurements of wheat keeps me in the nome: some I measure myself, being no small amounts, and others I compel farmers who owe to me to measure on my behalf. I remind you, who know it, that the most illustrious prefect Subatianus Aquila too, because of the urgency of the harvest, sent back to their own nomes even those who were previously away from home, for the season of the harvest. In addition to this I put forward a greater justification in asking for another time limit for the journey down: for I was elected inspector together with others of land being leased out by the most excellent council throughout the whole nome, belonging to the most sacred treasury […] we need more time for the completion. Therefore I ask that the present request be granted. He also happens to have accused me of having given a written undertaking to come down, whereas I never gave a written undertaking. Farewell. For the submission of the petition I sent Nikodemos, councillor, my friend. Didymos, former kosmetes and former gymnasiarch, councillor. Year 18, Epeiph 29. (Reply:) What is ordered by the most illustrious prefect must be carried out with speed. If therefore, the accuser having petitioned, you are summoned and do not obey, the consequences will follow. Deliver.