Private Letter
Private letter concerning the use of oxen for the sowing
One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 42504
Letter from Horion to Elias about borrowed oxen for sowing TM 42504Unknown(Late) IIIrd century A.D.
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 private letter from Horion to Elias, whom he calls brother, thanking him for lending oxen for the sowing and asking to keep them three more days until the work is done. He also mentions arranging fodder from Dionysios through Eudaimon.
In English machine translation
Horion to Elias his brother, greetings.
Even while I was away I learned of the zeal which you showed us in providing us with the oxen for the sowing. Please, therefore, brother, let us have them for another three days, until we finish. I have instructed Eudaimon to get fodder from Dionysios, for I persuaded (?) him to give it to me. I am confident, then, brother, that you do not neglect me.
I pray for your health, brother.
Year 2, Tybi 18.
The form ἤνωσα is probably a misspelling, perhaps for ἤνυσα or a verb meaning 'persuaded'; its exact sense is uncertain. 'Brother' may be a term of affection rather than kinship.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Private 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.
o.mich.1.91
Ὡρίων Ἠλίᾳ τῷ ἀδελφῷ χαίρειν. καὶ ἀπόντος μου ἔμαθον τὴν σπουδὴν ἣν ἐποίησας ἡμῖν παρασχὼν ἡμῖν τὰ βοίδια εἰς τὴν σποράν. καλῶς οὖν ποιήσεις, ἄδελφε, συνχωρήσας ἡμῖν αὐτὰ ἄλλας ἡμέρας τρεῖς , ἕως ἀπαλλάξωμεν. παρήγγειλα δὲ Εὐδαίμονι, ἵνα λάβῃ παρὰ Διονυσίου χόρτον. ἤνωσα γὰρ αὐτὸ…