Fragmentary Christian private letter from a woman named Theodora to her husband Asaleus, with prayers for his health and greetings from Silvanus and the children. It dates to the second half of the 5th century AD.
In English machine translation
[recto]
[…] to Asaleus (?), most honoured husband, […]
[…] Theodora, greeting in the Lord.
[…] we pray to divine providence concerning the […]
[…] the letters from us. Many greetings [are sent] […]
[…] Silvanus and your children […]
[…] to (?) [your] wife Theodora […]
[… concerning] your health and well-being […]
[…]
[verso]
[…]
To my lord Asaleus (?), most honoured husband
The name of the addressee survives in the genitive-like form Asaleos and its exact form is uncertain. The Greek word rendered 'husband' (aner) can also simply mean 'man'; the mention of 'wife Theodora' supports the marital sense.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Lettera cristiana). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.