One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 28342
Letter from Theopompos to the strategos Sarapion about an ounce of purple TM 28342OxyrhynchosII
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 →
A short letter from Theopompos to his friend Sarapion, strategos of the upper district of the Sebennyte nome, reporting that he has sent an ounce of purple dye as requested by the guard who brought Sarapion's letter. He explains he assumed Sarapion was travelling with the prefect, and sends greetings to Sarapion's sister and Kyrilla. Found at Oxyrhynchus, 2nd century AD.
In English machine translation
[recto]
Theopompos to the most honoured Sarapion, greetings.
As you wished, lord, I have sent the ounce of purple through the guard who brought the little letter from you, to be given to the little one (?) for the guest-gift (?); for I conjectured that you were accompanying his excellency the prefect.
I pray, my lord, for your health, together with your most excellent sister and Kyrilla.
Farewell.
Phaophi 15.
[verso]
To Sarapion, strategos of the upper district of the Sebennyte nome, from Theopompos, his friend.
The phrase "to be given for the xenia to the little one" is obscure; xenia may mean a guest-gift or a lodging, and "the little one" probably refers to a girl, perhaps Kyrilla. "Sister" may denote Sarapion's wife, as often in letters of this period.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Letter of Theopompus to a Strategus). 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.oxy.6.931
[r] Θεόπομπος Σαραπίωνι τῶι τιμιωτάτωι χαίρειν. ὡς ἠθέλησας, κύριε, τὴν οὐγκίαν τῆς πορφύρας ἔπεμψα διὰ τοῦ κομίσαντος τὸ ἀπὸ σοῦ ἐπιστόλιον φύλακος δοθησομένην εἰς τὴν ξενίαν τῆι μικρᾷ· σὲ γὰρ τῶι κρατίστωι ἡγεμόνι ἀκολουθεῖν ἐστοχασάμην. ἐρρῶσθαί σε, κύριέ μου, σὺν τῆι κρατίστη…