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One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 30461

Letter from Demetria to her sister Apia about a purchase of oil TM 30461AntinoopolisIII

The same ancient text or artifact as recorded by 2 records across 2 independent projects, recognised as one entity by its TM-Text identifier. View on Trismegistos →

A private letter from Demetria to her 'sister' Apia, written at Antinoopolis in the 3rd century AD. Demetria explains that she bought the oil Apia asked for but was delayed when a boatman left, reports its high price of 18 drachmas per chous, promises to send another item for a festival, and reminds Apia about some purple dye or cloth.

In English machine translation

[recto] Demetria to Apia, her sweetest sister, greetings. As soon as I entered Antinoopolis I did not neglect your little commission, but immediately, before the baggage was carried off, I bought it. But the cursed sailor left without reason, and I seemed to be negligent, so that I am not to blame. Now I have found someone going up to you, and I have sent you the oil, worthy of you. I want you to know that it is expensive and I barely got the chous for 18 drachmas, but it is worthy of you. I will also send you the salt-dish (?) for the festival. Greet warmly the most honoured Helene, and Nike and Rhodine and Attous. And you too, remember the purple. I pray for your health, sweetest sister. Farewell. [verso] To Apia from Demetria

The meaning of halikeion (here 'salt-dish') is uncertain, and porphyrion may mean purple dye or purple cloth. 'Sister' may be an affectionate term rather than a literal relationship.

Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Privatbrief). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.

DDbDP-text Full record →

p.hamb.2.192

Papyri.info — DDbDP (Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri) — text · III · Antinoopolis

[r] Δημητρία Ἀπίαι τῆι γλυκυτάτηι ἀδελφῆι χαίρειν. εὐθέως εἰσελθοῦσα εἰς τὴν Ἀντινόου οὐκ ἠμέλησά σου τοῦ ἐντολίου, ἀλλʼ εὐθέως, πρὶν ἢ βασταχθῆι τὰ σκεύη, ὠνησάμην αὐτό· ὁ δὲ κατάρατος ναυτικὸς ἀλόγως ἀπεδήμησεν καὶ ἔδοξα ἀσπούδαστος εἶναι ὥστε οὐκ ἐγὼ μεμπτή· ηὗρον δὲ νῦν τὸν π…