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One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 33318

Letter from Valerius to Philammon about money and a debt of honey TM 33318Kellis (Oasis Magna)Mitte IV

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 Valerius to Philammon disputing Philammon's report that a son received something from Arsenios, and asserting that Philammon himself took two solidi and passed them on. Valerius demands an explanation and reminds Philammon to bring the 9 xestai of good honey he owes. Written at Kellis in the Dakhla Oasis around the mid-4th century AD.

In English machine translation

[recto] To my lord brother Philammon, Valerius, greetings. I greet you warmly, praying for your health. I am surprised how you stayed at your place, and how you reported about the son, that he received something from brother Arsenios. He got nothing from him, nor did he speak with him about the transport charge; rather you, having taken two solidi from him, gave them to the same son. See that you do not choose to make excuses (?), but give me your account of these things. For look, I have informed him about this. Remember to bring me the 9 xestai of honey which you owe me on the account mentioned in your letter at that time; but of good honey. I pray for your health for many years, prospering. [verso] To my lord brother Philammon, Valerius.

The word rendered 'excuses' (aphosiōsis) literally suggests evasion or formal discharge of an obligation; its exact sense here is uncertain. 'Nomismatia' are gold solidi; a xestes is a liquid measure of roughly half a litre.

Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Private Letter). 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.kellis.1.64

Papyri.info — DDbDP (Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri) — text · Mitte IV · Kellis (Oasis Magna)

[r] κυρίῳ μου ἀδελφῶι Φιλάμμωνι Οὐαλέριος χαίρειν. ἀσπάζομαί σε πολλὰ εὐχόμενος ὑγιαίνειν. θαυμάζω ὅπως ἔμεινας παρὰ σοί, ὡς δὲ ἐδηλώσας περὶ τοὺ υἱοῦ, ὡς ὅτι ἐδέξατό τι παρὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ Ἀρσενίου. οὐδὲν οὖν ἔσχεν παρʼ αὐτοῦ οὐδὲ ὡμίλησεν αὐτῷ περὶ φορέτρου, ἀλλὰ σὺ λαβὼν παρʼ αὐτ…