End of a sworn deed of surety in which Aurelius Victor son of Gerontios guarantees that he will produce another man and will himself answer for him if he goes missing. Aurelius Kastor signed for the illiterate Victor, and the document was drawn up by Eusebios. It dates to the 4th century AD and belongs to the Hermopolis papyri.
In English machine translation
[… lines lost …]
[…] to stand surety […] […]
[…] to be drawn (?) from the one to be put on board (?)
[…]; and if he should be missing and I do not produce him, I myself shall undertake the liability on his behalf,
and that I have sworn nothing falsely, or may I be liable to the divine
oath and to the danger concerning this; and in answer to the formal question I have agreed.
I, Aurelius Victor son of Gerontios, the aforesaid, stand surety and will produce him as stated above. I, Aurelius Kastor
[…], wrote on his behalf, since he does not know letters.
Written through me, Eusebios […].
The beginning is lost, so the name of the guaranteed person and the official addressed are unknown. The "divine oath" is the oath by the emperors, standard in such guarantees.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Deed of Surety). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.