Lease agreement in which Aurelius Abraham son of Phoibammon undertakes to pay a person of high rank a perpetual annual rent of three gold solidi, due in Phaophi, for land held under an emphyteutic arrangement, plus six solidi of arrears for the previous indiction. It was drawn up at Hermopolis in the 6th or 7th century AD by the notary Philippos, with two witnesses.
In English machine translation
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[…] his […] share out of the whole […] planted (emphyteutically) for me by him on account of the agreement concluded between you, entrusting […] to your Excellency each year the amount laid down in it […] three full-weight gold solidi each year as compensation (?) […] accordingly I have made for you this written and inviolable agreement of mine, by which I acknowledge that I am ready, whether the land is flooded or unflooded, to give you each year without delay the entire three full-weight gold solidi of the perpetual rent, in the month of Phaophi, from the crops of the present tenth indiction and thereafter for as long as this written agreement of mine remains in force with you.
Moreover I will also pay you another six full-weight solidi once only for the just past ninth indiction, at my own risk and from the resources of all my property. This agreement is valid and binding, and having been asked the formal question I gave my assent.
† I, Aurelius Abraham son of Phoibammon, agree to this agreement as set out above. I, Philippos, lawyer, wrote on his behalf since he does not know letters.
† I, Aurelius Petros son of Phoibammon, from Hermopolis, witness this agreement, having heard it from the party who made it.
† † I, Phoibammon son of Viktor, from Hermopolis, witness the lease, having heard it from the party who made it.
† Written through me, Philippos, notary, with God's help […]
Emphyteusis was a long-term or perpetual lease in which the tenant improved or planted the land in return for a fixed rent. The addressee is styled 'your Excellency' (lamprotes), a title of high status.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Pachtvertrag). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.