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4CARE-ARTEFACTS

ARTEFACT IDENTIFIERS

Artefact ID1730
TM IDTM 32946
Findspot (DEChriM ID)-   ()
ClassTextual
MaterialPapyrus
Writing mediumSheet/roll
Text contentDocumentary
LanguageGreek
Description

P. Yale inv. 1318, SB 14 11858: Receipt from the presbyteros Aurelius Heraclius 
This complete small sheet (7 x 10 cm) had been folded once horizontally, now developed into a break in the papyrus, and twice vertically. A brief receipt for work as a book illustrator or decorator, Ἡράκλειος πρ(εσβύτερος) (line 1), the same Aurelius Heraclius from P. Yale inv. 413, agrees to return the book to its owner within a month. Heraclius’ work on a κόσμησις (line 3) indicates he may possibly have been a member of a monastic scriptorium or an individual illustrator, a task distinct from work as a scribe of books. The document can be presumed to have been written in Heraclius’ own hand. The verso is blank. P. Col. inv. 10213 (5th/6th c.), a letter among monks, similarly includes the topic of book illustration.

Selection criteriaMention of Christian cult officials/institutions
Date from300
Date to499
Dating criteria

Palaeography

Absolute/relative dateRelative date
Archaeological context

Unknown provenance; part of the 1931c acquisition containing P. Yale inv. 1214-1443. Purchased by Michael I. Rostovtzeff in Paris from Maurice Nahman on 13.09.1931, with funds donated by Edward Stephen Harkness and Horatio McLeod Reynolds.

Accession number

New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Library P. CtYBR 1318

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Editio princeps
• Parássoglou, George M. 1974. “A Book Illuminator in Byzantine Egypt.” Byzantion 44. 362-366: 364-366, No. 2.

Additional bibliography
• Rupprecht, Hans-Albert and Joachim Hengstl. 1983. Sammelband Griechischer Urkunden aus Ägypten. Vierzehnter Band. Zweites Heft. (Nr. 11595–11937). (SB 14). Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. 301-302, No. 11858.

Authors
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023
Suggested citation
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023, "Artefact ID 1730", 4CARE database - Fourth-Century Christian Archaeological Record of Egypt, https://4care-skos.mf.no/artefacts/1730
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