Private Letter
Letter sent to Samaphes and another man by Valerius, who asks them to take charge of his affairs until he can join them
One text, 3 sources · Trismegistos-Text 28800
Letter from Valerius asking Samaphes and another to manage his affairs TM 28800Unknown (perhaps Alexandria?)IInd century or IIIrd 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 from Valerius to Samaphes and another man, asking them to look after his affairs until he can sail upriver to join them, with the help of the god Serapis. It dates to the 2nd or 3rd century AD.
In English machine translation
[recto]
Valerius to Samaphes and Ako[…]…ri, greetings.
You will do well to take care of our affairs until I arrive, Serapis willing. I hope to finish my business quickly and sail up to you. For I know your zeal, that you will make me freer of worry; for relying on you I live with fewer worries. Greet all your people; Sarapion also greets you warmly.
I pray for your health.
[verso]
…pra[…]…[…]…[…]… from Valerius
The phrase 'sail up to you' suggests Valerius was writing from downriver, perhaps Alexandria, but the place of writing is uncertain. The second addressee's name is damaged.
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 Valerius to Samaphes and Ako...). 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.3.211
[r] Οὐαλέριος Σαμαφεῖ καὶ Ἀκο…[…]…ρι χαίρειν. καλῶς ποιήσετε φροντίσαντες τῶν ἡμετέρων μέχρις ἂν παραγένωμαι τοῦ Σεράπιδος θέλοντος. ἐλπίζω τάχιον ἐκπλέξαι καὶ ἀναπλεῦσαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς. οἶδα γὰρ ὑμῶν τὸ σπουδαῖον ἵνα ἀμεριμνότερόν με ποιήσητε, ὑμῖν γὰρ προσέχων ἀμεριμνότερα διάγω. ἀσ…