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ARTEFACT IDENTIFIERS

Artefact ID1736
TM IDTM 30707
Findspot (DEChriM ID)-   ()
ClassTextual
MaterialPapyrus
Writing mediumSheet/roll
Text contentDocumentary
LanguageGreek
Description

PSI 8 895, SB 22 15560: Letter fragment 
This strongly fragmented sheet (15.5 x 9 cm) was densely inscribed, but the top, center and bottom are missing. What is expressed first on the remaining sheet is the regret felt by the sender that the recipient has been absent. Most of the letter concerns the upcoming childbirth (τῶν λοχίων, line 11, 12) of τῇ ἐμοῦ ἀδελφῇ Θεονίλλᾳ (line 6). The sender, Theonilla’s brother (?) is concerned that she is not receiving the care and consideration she requires from their parents. He uses the phrase οἶδεν γὰρ ὁ θε[ὸς] in line 11. The last lines are written along the right margin of the sheet, where an Antiochos is named. Some terminology (προστετικὼς ἕνα α ἀργυροῦν, line 15; τῶν ἐμῶν κολληγ[ῶν], line 16) suggests the sender may possibly be in or related to a military milieu. The verso contains only faint traces of writing.

Selection criteriaChristian terms/formulas/concepts
Date from275
Date to325
Dating criteria

Palaeography; end of the 3rd/beginning of the 4th c., see P.Panop. 1 (289 CE)

Absolute/relative dateRelative date
Archaeological context

Unknown provenance; possibly written at Oxyrhynchus. It has at times been considered to be related to the Paniskos archive (TM Arch ID 167).

Accession number

Cairo, Egyptian Museum JdE 49501 / Cairo, Egyptian Museum SR 2988 (parallel)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reference edition
• Manfredi, Manfredo. 1993. “Affetti familiari (PSI VIII 895).” In Scritti in memoria di Dino Pieraccioni, edited by Michele Bandini and Federico G. Pericoli. Firenze: Istituto Papirologico «G. Vitelli». 255-261.

Editio princeps
• Vitelli, Girolamo. 1927. Papiri Greci e Latini. Volume Ottavo. N. 871–1000. (PSI 8). Firenze: E. Ariani. 33-34, No. 895.

Additional bibliography
• Choat, Malcolm. 2006. Belief and Cult in Fourth-Century Papyri. Studia Antiqua Australiensia 1. Turnhout: Brepols. 157. [listed]
• Crisci, Iginio. 1970. “La Collezione dei Papiri di Firenze.” In Proceedings of the Twelfth lnternational Congress of Papyrology, edited by Deborah H. Samuel. Toronto: A. M. Hakkert. 89-95: 91. [listed]
• Hagedorn, Dieter. 2012. ”Bemerkungen zu Urkunden.” Archiv für Papyrusforschung (AfP) 58. 109-116: 114-116.
• Naldini, Mario. 1968. Il Cristianesimo in Egitto. Lettere private nei papiri dei secoli II-IV. Firenze: Le Monnier. 150, No. 27.
• Rupprecht, Hans-Albert and Joachim Hengstl. 2001. Sammelband Griechischer Urkunden aus Ägypten. Zweiundzwanzigster Band. (Nr. 15203–15874). (SB 22). Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. 245-246, No. 15560.
• Rowlandson, Jane. 1998. Women and Society in Greek and Roman Egypt. A Sourcebook. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 286, No. 221.
• –––. 2005. “VII. Letters Dates III / IV. C. With Expressions Not on Their Own Decisive Indications of Christian Identity.” Papyri from the Rise of Christianity in Egypt: Draft Conspectus. (PCE.VII.C). Macquarie University. 7, No. 92?. [http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/%3Fid%3D45105&usg=AOvVaw2xqK_R6N3vQdQpC4Mq_iMD]

Authors
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023
Suggested citation
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023, "Artefact ID 1736", 4CARE database - Fourth-Century Christian Archaeological Record of Egypt, https://4care-skos.mf.no/artefacts/1736
External links
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