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One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 33558

Letter from Paulos in Alexandria to Nepheros about oil, bread and sheepskins TM 33558AlexandriaIV

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 Christian letter from Paulos, living away from home in Alexandria, to Nepheros, a monastic figure, asking for his prayers. Paulos reports selling three bundles and buying oil for Nepheros, asks him to have 16 artabas of wheat made into bread to be sent in a basket, and requests three or four sheepskins.

In English machine translation

To the most honoured, beloved Nepheros, Paulos, greetings in God. Before all else I pray night and day to be deemed worthy by your piety and to be commanded in whatever your kindness may wish in Alexandria, knowing that it is a gain for my soul to be remembered in your prayers, through your hope in God. Therefore I beg you to remember me in your prayers, and my children too, because of our living abroad, so that God may grant us the end (of it) among our own people. You were good enough to order me to take the three small bundles, dispose of them, and send olive oil for your needs. They were sold for 14 myriads (of denarii), and the jar of oil was bought for 60 myriads. God willing, if it is brought to me, I will send again; for I count it a favour when you deign to accept anything at all from me. I ask that, if it is no burden, you take the 16 artabas of wheat from Papnoutios son of Horion and make (them into) bread […] [… lines lost …] [margin] God willing, if the bread is made, send us a mat (basket) full. I pray for your health, man [of God]. [verso] To my master, beloved Nepheros, Paulos. If any of the sheep-owners among you can find sheepskins, I need three or four.

Nepheros was a priest and monastic leader in the Herakleopolite nome; the letter was sent from Alexandria. Prices in myriads of denarii reflect 4th-century inflation.

Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Paulos an Nepheros). 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.neph.4

Papyri.info — DDbDP (Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri) — text · IV · Alexandria

[r,ctr] τῷ τιμιωτάτῳ ἀγαπητῷ Νεφερῷ Παῦλος ἐν θεῷ χαίρειν. προηγουμένως εὔχομαι νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας καταξιοῦσθαι ὑπὸ τῆς σῆς θεοσεβείας καὶ κελεύεσθαι ἐν οἷς ἂν βούλοιτο ἡ σὴ φιλανθρωπία ἐπὶ τῆς Ἀλεξανδρείας γινώσκων κέρδος εἶναί μοι ψυχῆς τὸ μνημονεύεσθαι ἐν ταῖς σαῖς εὐχαῖς τῆς σ…