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One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 9455

Letter from the merchant Sarapion to his sister Sarapias TM 9455Philadelphia (Arsinoites)20. Okt. 38

The same ancient text or artifact as recorded by 3 records across 2 independent projects, recognised as one entity by its TM-Text identifier. View on Trismegistos →

A private letter from Sarapion, a merchant, to his sister (probably his wife) Sarapias, reproaching her for not writing when many friends travelled, reporting a sale and the arrival of Hegemon, and sending greetings to the household. It was written in the reign of Caligula in October AD 38 and is associated with Philadelphia in the Arsinoite nome.

In English machine translation

[recto] Sarapion to Sarapias his sister, very many greetings and continual good health. Know that I have sold at the current price (?). But you did not do well, when many friends were setting out, not to send me word about anything, though you know that I am anxious about you all. So then, if I receive the small change, I will see what I must do; for I must not sit idle. I wished that you had sent me word about the works (?), whether they have become cheap or not. Know that Hegemon arrived on the twenty-third. For the rest, take care of yourselves, so that you stay well. Greet the children and all those in the house, and Panechotes. Farewell. Year 3 of Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, month Soter 23. [verso] Deliver from Sarapion the merchant to Sarapion his younger son, at home.

Soter was an honorific month name used under Caligula, here corresponding to Phaophi. The address is to Sarapion's younger son, who was to deliver the letter at home.

Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Privatbrief). 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 →

bgu.4.1078

Papyri.info — DDbDP (Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri) — text · 20. Okt. 38 · Philadelphia (Arsinoites)

[r] Σαραπίων Σαραπιάδι τῇ ἀδελφῇ πλεῖστα χαίρειν καὶ διὰ παντὸς ὑγιαίνειν. γίνωσκέ με πεπρακότα πρὸς τὸν καιρόν· οὐ καλῶς δὲ ἐποίησας ἐκπορευομένων πολλῶν φίλων μὴ σημᾶναί μοι μηδὲ ἓν εἰδυίας σου, ὅτι ἀγωνιῶ περὶ ὑμῶν· λοιπὸν οὖν, ἐὰν λάβω τὰ κερμάτια ὄψομαι, τί με δεῖ ποιεῖν· οὐ…