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One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 35208

Letter from Timotheos to a mesites requesting a messenger for gold collection TM 35208unbekanntV - VI

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 business letter from Timotheos to a mesites (intermediary) named Al[…], asking him once again to send a symmachos (courier or messenger) needed for two days in connection with the collection of gold from villagers. Timotheos mentions that he has sent two donkey-loads of wood. Late Antique Egypt, 5th-6th century AD.

In English machine translation

[recto] From […]. As I requested of your admirableness, that you send the symmachos (messenger) within two days on account of the gold, because the villagers were without means (?); and you ordered him; he did not come. So now send him, since there is need of him for two days. For I am taking him on and I am giving him the boots (?). But do not neglect to send him. And I have sent to your admirableness two good donkey-loads of wood. I pray for your health. [verso] […] to the most admirable and virtuous brother Al[…], mesites (intermediary), from Timotheos.

A symmachos was a late antique courier or messenger, often employed in tax collection. The word kalikion (probably Latin caliga, a boot) and aphormaroi are rare, and their meanings are uncertain.

Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Dienstliches Schreiben). 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.jena.1.4

Papyri.info — DDbDP (Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri) — text · V - VI

[r] παρά. καθὼς παρεκάλησα τὴν σὴν θαυμασιότητα ὥστε ἀποστεῖλαι τὸν σύμμαχον εἴσω δύο ἡμερῶν χάριν τοῦ χρυσίου, ὅτι οἱ κωμῆται ἀφορμάροι ἦσαν· καὶ ἔταξας αὐτόν· οὐκ ἦλθεν. καὶ ἂν νῦν τοῦτον ἀπόστειλον, ἐπειδὴ χρεία αὐτοῦ ἐστιν πρὸς δύο ἡμέρας. καὶ γὰρ ἀναλαμβάνω αὐτὸν καὶ τὸ καλί…