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ARTEFACT IDENTIFIERS

Artefact ID1724
TM IDTM 32558
Findspot (DEChriM ID)-   ()
ClassTextual
MaterialPapyrus
Writing mediumSheet/roll
Text contentDocumentary
LanguageGreek
Description

PSI 8 972, SB 12 10841: Letter from Antoninos to Gonatas 
The letter on this square sheet (15 x 16 cm) is nearly complete, but at times hard to understand due to the spelling and grammatical mistakes. Gonatas is addressed as κυρίῳ μου ἀδελφῷ (line 1) and as γεοῦχος (“landowner”, line 1). He receives well-wishes παρὰ [[παρα]] τῷ κυ(ρίῳ) θ(ε)ῷ ὅπως (line 3). The topic of the letter is an altercation that had taken place between Antoninos, a Tithoes and the camel-driver Panther (possibly employed by Gonatas). Antoninos vehemently defends himself and refers to the long friendship (τὴν φιλείαν σου τὴν ἀρχε͂[α]ν, line 9–10) he has had with Gonatas, which he wishes to maintain. Gonatas also figures as the recipient of P.Oxy. 10 1298 (Ammon to Gonatas, 4th c.) and P. Horak 19 (dated to the early 4th c.).

Selection criteriaChristian terms/formulas/concepts, Nomina sacra
Date from300
Date to399
Dating criteria

Palaeography

Absolute/relative dateRelative date
Archaeological context

Unknown provenance; the other two letters to a Gonatas were found in Oxyrhynchus.

Accession number

Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana 18815

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reference edition
• Rea, John Rowland. 1970. “Two Christian Letters: PSI VII 831 and VIII 972.” Chronique d'Égypte (CdE) 45. 357-377: 363-377.

Editio princeps
• Vitelli, Girolamo. 1927. Papiri Greci e Latini. Volume Ottavo. N. 871–1000. (PSI 8). Firenze: E. Ariani. 180-181, No. 972.

Additional bibliography
• Choat, Malcolm. 2006. Belief and Cult in Fourth-Century Papyri. Studia Antiqua Australiensia 1. Turnhout: Brepols. 98n433, 120n545.
• Naldini, Mario. 1968. Il Cristianesimo in Egitto. Lettere private nei papiri dei secoli II-IV. Firenze: Le Monnier. 267-270, No. 64.
• Horsley, Gregory H. R. 1981. New Documents Illustrating Early Christianity. Volume 1. A Review of the Greek Inscriptions and Papyri Published in 1976. Macquarie University: The Ancient History Documentary Research Centre. 134-136, §85.
• Rupprecht, Hans-Albert. 1976. Sammelband Griechischer Urkunden aus Ägypten. Zwölfter Band. Erstes Heft. (Nr. 10764–11011). (SB 12). Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. 31, No. 10841.

Authors
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023
Suggested citation
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023, "Artefact ID 1724", 4CARE database - Fourth-Century Christian Archaeological Record of Egypt, https://4care-skos.mf.no/artefacts/1724
External links
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