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ARTEFACT IDENTIFIERS

Artefact ID1647
TM IDTM 33662
Findspot (DEChriM ID)28   (al-Bahnasā)
ClassTextual
MaterialPapyrus
Writing mediumSheet/roll
Text contentDocumentary
LanguageGreek
Description

P.Oxy. XII 1593, P.Oxy. 12 1593: Letter to Ischyrion 
Missing the beginning, the writer of this letter (21 x 14 cm) entreats the recipient, Ischyrion, who is addressed as ἀδελφέ, to send letters about his health and well-being. They further remark that they have not been feeling well, from Phamenoth all the way until Pauni, a duration of three months, to which they exclaim κ[α]ὶ θεῷ χάρις (“and thanks to god”, line 12). The writer interestingly corrects themselves in line 16, “ἀσπάζομαι τὸν πατέρα ἡμῶν, τουτέστιν σόν, ἄδελφε” (“greet our father, that is, your father, brother”). Ghedini 1923 sees this as an indication for brotherhood through faith, not blood. Further individuals greeted are Barys and Sarapion. The verso contains the address, which designates Ischyrion as ἀδελφ[ῷ].

Selection criteriaChristian terms/formulas/concepts
Date from300
Date to399
Dating criteria

Palaeography

Absolute/relative dateRelative date
Archaeological context

Found in al-Bahnasā (Oxyrhynchos) during the excavations of Bernard Grenfell and Arthur S. Hunt between 1896 and 1907.

Accession number

Wellesley, Wellesley College P. Oxy. 1593

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Editio princeps
• Grenfell, Bernard P. and Arthur S. Hunt. 1916. The Oxyrhynchus Papyri. Part XII (P. Oxy. XII). London: Egypt Exploration Fund. 285-286, No. 1593.

Additional bibliography
• Ghedini, Giuseppe. 1923. Lettere Cristiane dai Papiri Greci del III e IV Secolo. Milano: Presso l'amministrazione di Aegyptus e la società editrice Vita e Pensiero. 221-224, No. 33.

Authors
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023
Suggested citation
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023, "Artefact ID 1647", 4CARE database - Fourth-Century Christian Archaeological Record of Egypt, https://4care-skos.mf.no/artefacts/1647
External links
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