Petition of a priest over an unsealed lease of soldiers' allotments TM 3329Magdola (Arsinoite Nome)May 11, 218 BC

[recto] [To King Ptolemy, greetings, from Petous son of] […]es, priest of Soknokonis, one of those living in Bakchias. I am wronged by Lachares and Alexandros his son, soldiers from Asia. For, having drawn up with me a contract of lease for their kleroi in the month of Choiak, and the witnesses having signed, it happened that, being shut out by the hour, it was deposited unsealed with Zopyros the contract-writer. After this, having agreed with me before Dionysios to give me 11 artabas of wheat for seed, on condition that I repay them half as much again together with the rents, and I having received the 11 artabas and sown them, they led me on, not wishing to seal the contract. And when I petitioned Stratios the epistates against them, they paid no attention, but have expelled me from the kleroi. I beg you therefore, O King, to order Diophanes the strategos to write to Stratios the epistates to send them to Diophanes to have the case judged with me, and, if it is true, not to allow them to expel me from the kleroi, and until the judgement is concluded not to let them harvest. For if this is done, I shall, O King, have obtained your help. Farewell. To Stratios. Preferably reconcile them; otherwise send them to us so that they may be judged before the competent court. Year 4, Dios 3, Phamenoth 27. [verso] Year 4, Dios 3, Phamenoth 27. Petous son of […]es against Lachares and Alexandros concerning kleroi.