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ARTEFACT IDENTIFIERS

Artefact ID1722
TM IDTM 32552
Findspot (DEChriM ID)-   ()
ClassTextual
MaterialPapyrus
Writing mediumSheet/roll
Text contentDocumentary
LanguageGreek
Description

SB 12 10800: Letter from Besarion to Dionysios 
This well-preserved letter (26.7 x 10.5 cm), intact on all sides, forms part of the communication between Besarion and Dionysos, a landowner, whom Besarion addresses as κυρίῳ μου πάτρωνι (line 1) and greets with π[ολ]λὰ ἐν θεῷ χαίρειν (line 3). He has not heard from Dionysos regarding a matter at Plelo, and explains that he has not come to visit him since he has been purchasing seeds. The second half of the letter relates to transactions and transports, renting sheep at Lile and renting land. Dionysos is asked to send him τὸν μέλλοντα δοκιμάζιν τὰ σίπ’πια (line 18–19), informed that four φοινίκια πεταλίδια (line 21–22) have been sent and that the carpenters Paneph[…]se and Pasoeris have made just one water wheel. Symeon, who has run many of these errands for him, is titled ἀδελφός. The verso is blank.

Selection criteriaChristian terms/formulas/concepts, Christian onomastics
Date from350
Date to399
Dating criteria

Palaeography; dated to the 3rd/4th c. by the ed.pr., the name Symeon indicates a more concretely later dating to the 4th c., especially the second half of the century.

Absolute/relative dateRelative date
Archaeological context

Unknown provenance; the two sites named (Plelo and Lile) are in the Oxyrhynchite.

Accession number

Manchester, John Rylands Library without number

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Editio princeps
• Kraft, Robert A. and Antonia Tripolitis. 1968. “Some Uncatalogued Papyri of Theological and Other Interest in the John Rylands Library.” Bulletin of the John Rylands Library Manchester 51. 137-163: 154-158, No. 5.

Additional bibliography
• –––. 2005. “VII. Letters Dates III / IV. B. With Other Decisive Indications of Christian Identity.” Papyri from the Rise of Christianity in Egypt: Draft Conspectus. (PCE.VII.B). Macquarie University. 7, No. 86. [http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/%3Fid%3D45105&usg=AOvVaw2xqK_R6N3vQdQpC4Mq_iMD]
• Blumell, Lincoln H. and Thomas A. Wayment. 2015. Christian Oxyrhynchus: Texts, Documents and Sources. Waco TX: Baylor University Press. 581-584, No. 155.
• Fikhman, Itzhak F. 2006. “Les ‘Patrocinia’ Dans Les Papyrus d’Oxyrhynchus.” In Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft im spätantiken Ägypten. Kleine Schriften. Itzhak F. Fikhman, edited by Andrea Jördens. 152-160 (186-194): 155 (189). [on πάτρων]
• 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. 130-131, §83.
• Rea, John R. 1988. The Oxyrhynchus Papyri. Vol. LV (P. Oxy. LV). Graeco-Roman Memoirs 75. London: Egypt Exploration Society. 72n12 (No. 3795). [on Plelo and Symeon]
• Rupprecht, Hans-Albert. 1976. Sammelband Griechischer Urkunden aus Ägypten. Zwölfter Band. Erstes Heft. (Nr. 10764–11011). (SB 12). Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. 21, No. 10800.
• Sijpesteijn, Pieter J. 1988. “Short Remarks on Some Papyri IV.” Aegyptus 68. 69-92: 80n28.

Authors
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023
Suggested citation
Victoria G. D. Landau, 2023, "Artefact ID 1722", 4CARE database - Fourth-Century Christian Archaeological Record of Egypt, https://4care-skos.mf.no/artefacts/1722
External links
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