One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 28194
Letter from Ptolemaios to his brother Zosimos about his posting to the Boukolia TM 28194ArsinoitesII - III
The same ancient text or artifact as recorded by 3 records across 2 independent projects, recognised as one entity by its TM-Text identifier. View on Trismegistos →
Private letter from a man (Ptolemaios, written Ptolemais in the opening) to his brother Zosimos, reporting that he has been assigned by lot to service in the Boukolia (marsh district of the Nile Delta). He asks Zosimos to prepare bricks or lime with Longinus, to visit his friend Besarion at Skenai Mandrai, and to bring Apollon the hunter there. From the Arsinoite nome, 2nd-3rd century AD.
In English machine translation
Ptolemais to Zosimos his brother, very many greetings. Before all else I pray that you are well, and I make obeisance for you before the lord Sarapis. Know, brother, that I have been allotted to the Boukolia; I could not get myself excused, because I was properly allotted. I have informed Longinus, so that he may prepare everything. You must fire, from earth, either the bricks or the lime, so that if I come to you in good health I may find everything ready. You know the compulsion of military service; and if you assist me in this, so that […] with him until the preparation is done. After the sowing, when you have leisure, come to me at the Boukolia, that is […]. When you receive this letter, go with Longinus to Skenai Mandrai to Besarion my friend, as you too know him. I have a close friend in Alexandria and he will share everything with us. Do everything to take Apollon the hunter to my friend at Skenai; therefore, brother, see that you instruct the man. Gaia (?) [...] will supply fodder to my friend, for he is going to need it.
[margin] I greet my sister warmly and her children and Serenos and all who love us.
I pray for your health.
[verso] Deliver to Zosimos, brother, from Ptolemaios his brother.
The Boukolia were the Delta marshlands, notorious for the herdsmen's revolt of the 170s AD; the writer seems drafted into military service there. Some phrases (e.g. 'tiotheis', 'Gaia teseina') are garbled or obscure and their translation is uncertain.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below. It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.
chrest.wilck.21
[r,ctr] Πτολεμαῖς Ζωσίμῳ τῷ ἀδελφῷ πλεῖστα χαίρειν. πρὸ μὲν πάντων εὔχομαί σε ὑγιαίνειν καὶ τὸ προσκύνημά σου ποιῶ παρὰ τῷ κυρίῳ Σαράπιδι. γίγνωσκε, ἄδελφε, ἐκληρώθην εἰς τὰ Βουκόλια· οὐκ ἠδυνάμην παραιτήσασθαι, διότι καλῶς κεκλήρωμαι. ἐδήλωσα Λονγείνῳ, ἵνα ἑτοιμάσῃ πάντα. ἐκ γῆς…