One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 36948

Letter concerning public dues and instructions of the common master TM 36948unbekanntVI

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 →

Fragmentary Byzantine letter from the 6th century AD concerning public dues (taxes), instructions from a 'common master', the arrival of an illustrious official and a tax collector, and letters delivered to a curator. The writer reports news and a great disturbance, addressing his master Paulos with deference.

In English machine translation

[...] [...] to sail it down quickly [...] [...] of the information, that behold, it was reported to us that successfully (?) [...] [...] we are about to demand your public dues, nothing [...] [...] with a donkey, having trodden the solid ground [...] [...] from him of the public dues from my property [...] [...] be [...] nor be afraid at what has happened [...] to do everything if it is possible; for into a place of success (?) [...] [...] and as you say, I say: they are arriving [...] For the common master gave many instructions [...] [...] Kyrillos [...] the opposite; for the rest [...] with God. † And the illustrious [...] is also arriving [...] and Plotinos, whose [...] according to the blessed [...] with the collector; and all these things [...] to my lord Paulos, my true master, to speak to you [...] and the letters of my masters [...] from the common master, thinking [...] for he, as God knows, instructed me [...] to give to you and to kiss the feet [...] [...] so order (someone) to tell them, and about the [...] [...] I have given their order [...] [...] of Ioannes, and having opened (it) in my presence, read (?) [...] [...] he said to me: 'Give the order,' and as [...] the letters to the curator, and I withdrew and reported [...] [...] I write these things, making obeisance and greeting (you), and since a great disturbance occurred in [...] [...] that, information having been given [...] [...]

The 'common master' (koinos despotes) is probably a great landowner or estate head; the curator (kourator) was an estate administrator. Beginning and end of the letter are lost.

Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Letter). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.

p.lond.5.1787

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

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