Private Letter
Letter from Rullius to [Iulius] Apollinarius, concerning white cottons to be sent from Rome
One text, 3 sources · Trismegistos-Text 27110
Letter from Rullius to Julius Apollinarius about white cottons TM 27110unknown place, province of Egypt(?)IInd century A.D.
The same ancient text or artifact as recorded by 3 records across 3 independent projects, recognised as one entity by its TM-Text identifier. View on Trismegistos →
A private letter of the 2nd century AD from Rullius to Julius Apollinarius, whom he calls brother, complaining that he has had no news of his safe arrival and asking him to send white cottons to Menon. The damaged later part mentions a copy sent, a certain Sempronius and military matters, and ends with greetings from Sitelkas and his children.
In English machine translation
Rullius to Julius Apollinarius his brother, greeting.
I am surprised that you have not sent us a little letter through which you might make clear to us whether, in accordance with our prayers, you came through safely and what you are doing now, so that we may know how your affairs are going. The white cottons, as I asked you when I was with you, send to Menon. If they were soft, he said when he was with you, let them be sent from Rome. I will bring back whatever you wish to send back […]
[…] I sent you a copy so that it may not go astray […] often to Sempronius […]
[…] distracted (?) […] about military matters […]
[…] is troublesome, so that not […]
[…] and able […]
[… 2 lines lost …]
I wish you good health, brother.
[…]
Sitelkas greets you, and his children each by name.
The word translated 'cottons' (erioxyla, literally 'wool-wood') refers to cotton or a similar plant fibre. 'Brother' may be a term of affection rather than kinship; the recipient appears to be the soldier Julius Apollinarius known from other Michigan letters.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Rullius an Apollinarius). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.
p.mich.8.500
Ῥούλλιος Ἰουλίῳ Ἀπολλιναρίῳ τῷ ἀδελφῷ χαίρειν. θαυμάζω πῶς ἐπιστόλιον ἡμῖν οὐκ ἔπεμψας διʼ οὗ ἡμῖν φανερὸν ποιήσῃς εἰ κατὰ τὰς εὐχὰς ἡμῶν διεσώθης καὶ τί ἄρτι πράσσεις, ἵνʼ εἰδῶμεν πῶς τὰ πραγμάτιά σου φέρεται. τὰ ἐριόξυλα τὰ λευκά, καθώς σε παρὼν παρεκάλεσα πέμψον Μένονι. ἂν μαλ…