P.Herm. 17

Trismegistos: 35415

Transcription and notes from HGV: http://aquila.zaw.uni-heidelberg.de/hgv/35415. For discussion on the letter, see Mathieson, Erica Ann. “The Perspectives of the Greek Papyri of Egypt on the Religious Beliefs, Practices and Experiences of Christian and Jewish Women from 100 CE to 400 CE.” Macquarie University, 2006, pp. 46–47. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/290184.

Fragment 1

recto

  1. τῷ κυρίῳ μου θεωσεβῆ Ἄπα Ἰωάνην Λεῦχις Μαλαμος.*
  2. ἡ χρηστωτητα σου κατέλαβεν πάντας τοὺς μὺ δυναμένους·*
  3. καὶ κ̣αμὲ φθά̣σι ἡ ἐ̣λ̣ε̣ημωσύνη̣ν σου, κύριε. μετὰ των Θεὸν*
  4. τὴν σ̣ὴν βο̣ήθιαν προσδωκῶ, ἵνα ἀξιώ̣σ̣ι̣ς̣ των τρι-*
  5. βοῦνων τ̣ῶν Γούνθων καὶ ἄρῃ αὐτὰς ἀπὸ τῆς οἰκίας*
  6. μου, ἐπὶ χήρα γυνή εἰμι. κύριέ μου, διὰ των Θεὼν πύει.*
  1. To the lord/master of me devout Apa Johannes. (From) Leuchis (daughter of) Malamos.*
  2. The kindness of you overcome all those not who were able;*
  3. and ṭọ me may ọṿẹṛtake the ṃẹciẹs of you, Lord/master. After God*
  4. the ọf̣ you hẹlp I seek, so that you may c̣ọṇṣịḍẹṛ worthy the tri-*
  5. bune Gounthos and remove them from the house*
  6. of me, since a widow woman I am. Lord/master of me, because of God do this.*

To my lord devout Apa Johannes. From Leuchis, daughter of Malamos.

Your kindness overcomes all those who were not able; and may your mercies overtake me too, lord. After God, I seek your help, that you may consider the tribune Gounthos worthy and remove the ladies from my house, since I am a widow. My lord, do this for God's sake.

Notes