Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 155
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 155 (P. Oxy. 155 or P. Oxy. I 155) is a letter, written in Greek and discovered in Oxyrhynchus. The manuscript was written on papyrus in the form of a sheet. The document was written in the 6th century. Currently it is housed in the Egyptian Museum (10020) in Cairo.[1]
Description
The recto side of the document is a letter from Theophilus to his employer John, a comes. He acknowledges the receipt of various items and asks for some favors. The verso side contains the address. The measurements of the fragment are 151 by 306 mm.[2]
It was discovered by Grenfell and Hunt in 1897 in Oxyrhynchus. The text was published by Grenfell and Hunt in 1898.[2]
Text
- Recto
I have received what your magnificence sent me through your slave Justus, namely twenty jars of wine, twenty sprigs of dates, three jars of honey, and three of rose-water (?), five pans of bread, one pot of biscuit; and I pray for long life and happiness for your magnificence and your generous house. Since your magnificence's obedient servants and their children are ill, I hope your highness will excuse my account. May your highness be pleased to send me a round pot of raphanus oil. Your highness has no longer shown care for the caparisoned colt (?), and the slave of your magnificence, Macarius.
- Verso
Present this to my master, John, the all-magnificent comes and my patron, from Theophilus, citizen.[2]
References
- P. Oxy. 155 at the Oxyrhynchus Online
- Grenfell, B. P.; Hunt, A. S. (1898). Oxyrhynchus Papyri I. London: Egypt Exploration Fund. pp. 236–7.