Petition to a Strategus

Date

• 305

Summary

• Date: April 26, 305 CE.
• Place of origin: Philadelphia (City in Ancient Egypt)
• Summary: The papyrus contains a letter written by the two komarchoi of Philadelphia and addressed to Apion, strategus of the Arsinoites (undoubtedly of the division of Herakleides, in which both Philadelphia and Tanis are situated. They complain about an inadequate water supply. The consequence is that they can't cultivate their estates properly, which again results in large debts to the tameion, a consequence they cleverly emphasize. They set out recognizing the prime importance of this treasury.
• Notes: An inadequate water supply that leaves them unable to cultivate their estates properly. This is a letter written by two komarchoi to the strategus.
• Condition of recto: A light-brown papyrus, cut off regularly at the left and right-hand sides and at the bottom. At the bottom there is a margin of 7 cm., at the left one of 2.5 cm. Attempts have clearly been made to make the lines run up to the very edge on the right. There is a kollesis at 4 cm from the right-hand side.
• Condition of verso: On side on the verso the papyrus has twice been reinforced by means of another piece of papyrus.
• Hands recto: Strokes have some times been added to the letters; abbreviations or superposition have sometimes become necessary. The hand is highly skilled and writes regular letters. The text runs parallel to the fibers and is mutilated at the folds (6 vertical once); it has faded at the right-hand.
• Description, notes, transcription, and translation written by P. J. Sijpesteijn.