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One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 33266

Letter begging a patron not to trouble the deacon Peter TM 33266ArsinoitesIV - VII

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 →

Fragment of a Christian letter from Late Antique Egypt (Arsinoite nome) in which the writer, in great fear, humbly begs a high-ranking patron not to trouble his fellow-servant, the deacon Peter. He asks the patron to pray that God may save him from the wrath hanging over him.

In English machine translation

[...] [...] my [...] great fear lies upon us [...] [...] from [...] hence that my insignificance be prevented [...] While my mother does obeisance to you, I beseech your magnificence not to trouble my fellow-servant, the most pious Peter the deacon, and I trust in God that [...] [...] of life, I clasp your feet, just as I have also written at other times to your [...] lordship; for I know well, master, that you need no urging and gladly accept the request of those who do you obeisance, especially of those who sincerely love you. May the Lord of the ages preserve your magnificent greatness and grant my lowliness to do obeisance at your feet another time, master; and pray, master, for me, that God may save me from the wrath that threatens. †

"Your magnificence" (periblepton megaloprepeia) and "lordship" are honorific titles of address for a high-status official or landowner. "Fellow-servant" (syndoulos) is a common Christian self-designation among clergy and believers.

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.

DDbDP-text Full record →

bgu.2.547

Papyri.info — DDbDP (Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri) — text · IV - VII · Arsinoites

[… ? lines lost …] […]της μου μέγας φόβος ἐπίκειται ἡμῖν κ[…] […]τοι ἀπο[…]ἐντεῦθεν διακωλυθῆναι τὴν βραχύτητά μου …[…] προσκυνούσης ὑμᾶς τῆς ἐμῆς μητρὸς παρακαλῶ τὴν ὑμετέραν περιβλεπτότητα μὴ ὀχλῆσαι τῷ συνδούλῳ μου τῷ εὐλαβεστάτῳ Πέτρῳ τῷ διακόνῳ καὶ πιστεύω εἰς τὸν θεὸν ὅτι ε…