Enteuxeis : Greek petitions to the king

These petitions of the third century B.C. were published by O. Guéraud, "Enteuxeis: Requêtes et plaintes adressées au roi d'Égypte au IIIe siècle avant J.-C." (1931).   English translations of some of them have been put online in a PDF file by Charles E. Muntz, and translations of some others have been added below here. Translations of a few other petitions can be found in 'Select Papyri', section 2.7.

In the following table, there are links to the Greek texts (in papyri.info) at the start of each line, and links to the English translations at the end of each line (A = attalus.org, M = C. Muntz, SP = Select Papyri). The papyri flagged with * are dated to the reign of Ptolemy III; the rest are dated to the reign of Ptolemy IV. Unless otherwise stated, all the papyri are thought to have originated from Magdola.

[8]   Aristomachos : Complaint about a gymnasium

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Aristomachos, Macedonian of the corps of Eteoneus, cleruch holding eighty arouras. I am wronged by [Dallos]. Apollodoros, who was registered with the status of Nagidian of the corps of Chrysermos, pentakosiarch and cleruch, had built a gymnasium in Samareia where he had received his tenure, and had dedicated it with an inscription containing these words 'To King Ptolemy Apollodoros has dedicated this gymnasium'. Now since Apollodoros has died, leaving behind property situated partly in Alexandria and partly in the aforementioned town, Polykleitos has inherited this property, and I am representing Polykleitos in court as administrator of the properties of Samareia, according to a decision of the chrematistai who judged the current cases in the Alpha district, Leonidas, Hegesianax, ...ophios, assisted by the eisagōgeus Hegesippos, in the year 20 . . . on the 21st. Already formerly, before this decision, when I was administrator of the [buildings?], as they were falling into disrepair (?) after the death of Apollodoros, and the dwelling built over the gymnasium was in danger of ruin, I had it demolished with the authorisation of Aphthonetos, the former strategos, who approved my request in the year 16; To the ground-floor buildings, I added buttresses (?), and instead of the . . . and other decaying ones, I put props to support them . . . [after the] . . . by the porch, on which is the inscription, had collapsed, I had it rebuilt so that . . . would be supported. Likewise, since the decision of the chrematistai, I am repairing everything that has deteriorated [and I represent?] Polykleitos, by virtue of the aforementioned decision. Now Dallos and the one who is said to be his wife . . . in the gymnasium itself, which is not connected to them at all, . . . as I [asked them to] leave . . . {two incomprehensible lines} . . . I beg you [therefore, O king, to order Diophanes the strategos to write to] Agathokles the epistates, that he should summon Dallos before him [and that Dallos be compelled to] leave and pay a fine. If this is done, thanks to you, O king, the [saviour] . . . . May you prosper.

[To Agathokles. Preferably reconcile them;] if not, send them so that justice may be done to them according to the laws.

Year 1, Gorpiaios 30, Tybi 13.

[9]   Apollōnios : Refusal to leave a house

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Apollonios son of Leptines, resident of Crocodilopolis in the Arsinoite nome. I have been wronged by my father's sister, Thaisithis. I own a family home in Pharbaitha, district of Herakleides, and Thaisithis lives in the aforementioned house. Now, my father died in the 23rd year, and I needed the house to sell and pay for my father's funeral. So I asked Thaisithis to vacate the house, but she took no notice, despising me because I was an orphan. I beg you, therefore, O king, to order Diophanes the strategos to write to Mnaseas the epistates of Pharlaitha, that he send Thaisithis before him and, if what I say is true, that she be compelled to vacate the house, since my father has given her a dowry . . . that she be made to pay the rent since the 23rd year, the date on which my father died, at the rate of five drachmas per . . ., making a total of . . . If this is done, thanks to you, O king, the common saviour [of all, I will obtain justice.] May you prosper.

To Mnaseas. Preferably, reconcile them; but if this is not possible, send . . .

Year 4, Daisios 27, Athyr 29.

[12]   Bithys : Encroachment on the dwelling of a cleruch

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Bithys, of the Kardendos veteran corps, from Sebennytos in the Arsinoite nome. I am wronged by Hellanikos. You granted us, O King, a dwelling with the allotments, so that we would not be wronged by anyone and would not have to pay rent. Now Hellanikos has broken into the house by force, demolished the courtyard wall, and moved in with me. I have already addressed a complaint to you, O King, which was forwarded to the strategos Aphthonetos; but even now the man refuses to give up his position, and what is more, he never stops insulting me. I beg you, therefore, O king, if it seems good to you, to order Aphthonetos the strategos to write to Timoxenos, that he should send Hellanikos before Aphthonetos, so that he may be judged in his conflict with me and that, after having recourse to you, O king, I may receive justice. May you prosper.

Agenor to Timoxenos, greetings. I am sending you a copy of the petition forwarded to me by Aphthonetos. If the house has been assigned to him as a dwelling, assign to each of them his share, according to the ordinance. Year 4, Panemos 23.

Year 4, Daisios 23. Bithys against Hellanikos.

To Agenor. Ordinance of the king.

[14]   Dizaporis : Lodgings of a soldier in a mortgaged house

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Dizaporis, a Thracian, 70-aroura holder of the hipparchy of . . . I am wronged by the epistates Deinias. A pledge had been given by . . . wife of … rokinos on the [house] which she owned at Kerkesoucha, and when the term of the pledge expired, as the creditor did not agree to renew it, he entered into possession of it, according to the regulations. Now I was living in this house, but Deinias came and recklessly turned out my horse, instead installing ...ythēs, so that my horse is in the open air. I beg you, therefore, O king, if it please you, to order Diophanes the strategos to write to Deinias the epistates that he should send away the Egyptian and restore the house to me; and if he disputes this, let him be judged along with me, to avoid the risk that some accident may happen to my horse while it is in the open air and that . . . If this is done, then after having recourse to you, O king, I will obtain justice.   May you prosper.

To Deinias. Report to us about these [matters], as . . .   Year 25, Loïos 26, Choiach [13].

[17]   Menellas: Claim of an uncle's inheritance

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Menellas, son of Paraibates, a Cyrenean of the epigone, one of the men from the Sacred Island . . . in the district of Herakleides. In year 4, on the 16th of Phaophis, Lysanias . . . died, who was the younger brother of my father Paraibates. Since he had neither wife nor [children], the inheritance of the property he left should revert to me. I beg you, therefore, O king, to order Diophanes the strategos to have my description put before him, to . . . the inheritance, and to write to Hipparchos the epistates so that, if any . . . to send [before the strategos] those who disobey, and to compel them to observe justice towards me. Then, O king, I will obtain what is the purpose of my request. May you prosper.

Menellas, 30 years old, medium height, dark complexion, long face, straight nose, scar on his right cheek . . . made the declaration of inheritance before us.

Year 4, Daisios 27, Athyr 29.

[19]   Diodoros: Contested inheritance

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Diodoros. I am wronged by Damasippa, a resident of Oxhyrhyncha, in the district of Polemon. I had obtained from Dositheos a ruling concerning the property of my relative, Diogenes son of Rhodokles, whose inheritance was legally bound to revert to me, including a chapel of Demeter {thesmophorion} with its outbuildings, at Dikaiou Kōme, as well as another located at Oxhyrhyncha. However Damasippa, claiming to be a relative [of Diogenes], demanded a division of the estate while I was away in Alexandria [and obtained that the chapel located] at Dikaiou Kōme should be given to her . . .

Year . . .   Diodoros against Damasippa, concerning an inheritance.

[22]   Nikaia : Designation of a guardian for a widow

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Nikaia daughter of Nikias, a Persian. My husband Pausanias died in the 23rd year, leaving a will dated .. Panemos of the same year, [in which] he left me as guardian his son ...naios. Now he also died in the 4th year, in the month of Daisios - Hathyr in the Egyptian calendar - and I have no relative who can serve as my guardian. Therefore, to prevent this causing harm to the property left to me by my husband, if I lack a guardian through whom I can perform the necessary actions, I beg you, O king, to order Diophanes the strategos to appoint as my guardian Demetrios, a Thracian, from the corps of Ptolemaios [son of Eteoneus], ​​holder of a hundred arouras in the . . . hipparchy, who married the sister of Pausanias. Let the strategos make a written report on this matter, so that everything may be properly and duly recorded; and since, being old and weak, I cannot go to Crocodilopolis and I have sent the aforesaid Demetrios to present this petition, let Diophanes write to Dioskourides the epistates, that he should take my description and that of the guardian whom I am requesting, and send the descriptions to Diophanes. If this is done, O king, I will have obtained the results of your kindness. May you prosper.

To Dioskourides. Take with you some of the elders of the town and go to Nikaia; and if . . . their descriptions, and make a report to us. Year 4, Daisios 27, Hathyr 29.

Year 4, Daisios 27, Hathyr 29. Nikaia daughter of Nikias, a Persian, concerning what she requests.

[23]   Helladotē : Complaint of a woman about her dowry

Translated by:   J.Modrzejewski, "The Jews of Egypt", p. 111 ( Google Books ).

To King Ptolemy greeting from Helladotē, daughter of Philonides.   I am being wronged by Jonathas, the Jew . . . He has agreed by a written contract [in accordance with the civic] law of the Jews to hold me [as wife]. Now he wants to renounce [and claims for] 100 drachmas, and also the house: he does not give me my due, and shuts me out of my house . . . and absolutely wrongs me in every respect.   I beg you therefore, my king, to order Diophanes, the strategos, to write to . . . the epistates of Samareia not to let [me be wronged, but] to send Jonathas to Diophanes in order [that he may inquire into the case]. For by this means [I shall no longer be wronged, but having sought your protection, I shall obtain justice].    Farewell.

Year 4, Dios 3, Phamenoth [27].   Helladote daughter of Philonides concerning a dowry and . . .

[27]   Libys : Request of a ship-master, with royal oath

Translated by:   D.J. Thompson, "P.Enteux. 27 and the Nile transport of grain under the Ptolemies" ( academia.edu ).

To king Ptolemy, greetings from Libys, ship-master {naukleros} of the Nile transport of Archidamos and Metrophanes with a capacity of 10,000 artabas. I had letters for the Thebaid, but near Aphroditopolis there was a storm and my boat suffered damage to its yard-arm, so I was unable to make the destination specified in my letters of instruction. Because the Arsinoite nome was close, we dragged the boat to the harbour of that nome, with great effort and difficulty since we could no longer use the sails. We did not want to just end up here. So since it is regular practice, when a disaster of this kind strikes one of the ship-masters, to inform the local strategoi of the situation, to stop ships being ruined when they are held up where they are and problems ensuing with the transport downriver of grain, but rather to make sure that the ships are loaded full in accordance with the letters provided from the capital, therefore I beg you, sovereign, to order Diophanes the strategos to investigate and, if what I have written is the case, to instruct Euphranor, who is responsible for grain in the lower district, to load my ship full with grain from his area with all speed on the authority of the existing letters. For the ship is large and, with the water retreating, even empty it is in danger of not getting back to the capital. But with your help, sovereign, we may . . . Farewell.

I swear by king Ptolemy and queen Berenice, and by Sarapis and Isis . . . [that this is a true account].

Year 25, Loios 26, Choiach 13. Libys the ship-master, concerning the loading of his boat as is customary.

[30]   . . . : Theft of a cloak

Translated by:   CPJ 1.129.

To King Ptolemy, greeting from . . . who lives in Alexandrou Nesos. I have been wronged by Dorotheos, [a Jew who lives in the] same village. In the 5th year, according to the financial calendar, on Phamenoth . . . [as I was talking to] my workmate, my cloak [which is worth . . . drachmas] caught Dorotheos' eye, and he made off with it. When I saw him [he fled] to the Jewish synagogue [holding] the cloak, [while I called for help]. Lēzelmis, a holder of 100 arouras, came up to help [and gave] the cloak to Nikomachos the verger {nakoros} to keep till the case was tried. Therefore I beg you, my king, to command Diophanes the strategos [to write to the] epistates telling him to order Dorotheos and Nikomachos to hand over the cloak to him, and, if what I write is true [to make him give me the] cloak or its value; as for the injury . . . If this happens, I shall have received justice through you, my king. Farewell.

[34]   Sopatros ++ : Incomplete delivery of a wine order

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Sopatros son of Melas, Dionysios son of Alkainetos, and Ptolemaios son of Peritas, merchants at Kerkesoucha. We are wronged by Petenentēris. In the year 4, in Mecheir, he sold us 126 jugs of wine, 72 of which were 6 choes each and 54 jugs 5 choes each, at the price of 14 drachmas per metrētēs of 6 choes; at this price, he received from us a deposit of 80 drachmas, it being agreed that we would pay the cost of the wine delivered as we put it in store. We have stored 30 jugs of 6 choes and 6 of 5 choes, and we have paid the price to the agent of Nikon, to whom Petenenteris . . ., that is 490 drachmas, and also in addition 110 drachmas, so that this sum is added to the deposit already paid, that is to say 190 drachmas of deposit. Now, wanting to store the rest of the wine, we find that, of the full quantity, 6 jugs of 6 choes and 8 jugs of 5 choes are missing. We beg you, O king, if it pleases you, to order Diophanes the strategos to summon Penenenteris in order to investigate this matter, and, if things are truly as we state them in this petition, to compel him to restore to us the difference of 14 missing jugs, a figure which we will affirm by oath; so that, by having recourse to you, O king, we shall obtain justice. May you prosper.

Year 4, Dios 3, Phamenoth 27.

Year 4, Dios 3, Phamenoth 27. Sopatros and the other merchants with him, against Petenenteris, concerning a deficiency in wine.

[41]   Theodotos: Loan of a donkey

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Theodotos. I have been wronged [by Nikias], a resident of Boubastos, in the district of Herakleides. He borrowed from me [a female donkey, worth] 40 drachmas, in the month of Phaophi of the 26th year; then I left for the Hermopolitan district, where . . . summoned me [and I have remained absent] until now. On my return, I have asked him for the donkey that he borrowed from me, but he has not returned it to me, nor does he show to meit anywhere. He does this out of contempt for me, because . . . I beg you, therefore, O king, if it pleases you, to order [Diophanes] the strategos to write to Meleagros the epistates that he should send Nikias before him ... [to be judged (?)] concerning the facts of with which I accuse him in this petition, so that, thanks to you, O king, I may obtain justice. May you prosper.

To Meleagros. Preferably reconcile them; but if not, [send him so that] they may receive justice according to the laws. Year 1, Gorpiaios 28, Tybi 13.

Year 1, Gorpiaios 28, Tybi 13. Theodotos against Nikias, concerning a donkey.

[55]   Polemaios : Cultivation of land without a lease

Translated by:   S.R. Llewelyn, "New Documents Illustrating Early Christianity", vol. 7, pp.141-142.

To king Ptolemy, greetings from Polemaios, Macedonian, commander of the cavalry units {epilarchēs} of Pythangelos and Ptolemaios his son, cleruch. I am wronged by Polemon, a Macedonian, holder of a thirty-aroura allotment, and Aristomachos. For I received an allotment from you, king, around the village of Sacred Island in the district of Herakleides, consisting of 82½ arouras, but when in year 23 I was in Alexandria for a trial and there was no representative of mine on the spot, the forementioned Polemon, having leased from the royal treasury half the allotment, sowed the whole allotment in year [23], the produce of which was for year 24, although I had no contract with him. During year 24, although the aforesaid men had neither leased from the royal treasury half the allotment, nor had any contract with me, they sowed it with sesame and corn, and have carried off the harvest contrary to all justice, with Philon, the custodian of crops, also assisting them. When I returned from Alexandria, I asked each of them for the rents in accordance with the former lease, a rent for each aroura of [4½] per artaba of wheat, which makes for the two years, for the first year rent for half the allotment being 185[⅝] artabas of wheat, and for year 24, the produce of which is for year 25, a rent for the whole allotment being 371¼ artabas of wheat. They have not paid this, but although they promise that they will pay, they keep fobbing me off. Therefore, I ask you, king, to order Diophanes the strategos to write to Menelaos the epistates, telling him to send them to be judged; and if what I write is true, that each of them be made to pay me for the aforesaid quantity - the rent which falls to each or the value for each artaba of 4 silver drachmas. But concerning the fact that they acted with force to sow the land, I will obtain justice from them at a later date. For when this occurs, [I will be . . .].

Year 25, Loios 26, Choiach [13]. Ptolemaios against Polemon and Aristomachos, concerning . . .

[59]   Theodotos ++ : Enforcement of lease clauses

Translated by:   CPJ 1.37.

To King Ptolemy, greetings from Theodotos, Gaddaios and Phanias. We are being wronged by a certain Demetrios. He let us the holdings of Nikias and Asklepiades, the 30-aroura holders in the village of Herakleia in the region of Themistes, for 2 years, on condition that payment should start with the corn sown in the 25th year for the 26th, and that the rent should be 3 artabas of wheat for each aroura, and 3½ artabas of wheat for the second year; and the contract stated: 'Guaranteed against risks, except those of drought or flood - the part which can be sown before Choiach 10 - they shall inspect the part which cannot be sown before Choiach 10, taking with them Demetrios and three impartial witnesses.' So we took Demetrios along to show him that it could not be sown, but he wanted to break his contract and ignored us; and he does not guarantee the validity of the boundaries which we agreed on in the contract. We beg you, our king, to order Diophanes the strategos to write telling Meleagros the epistates of the village of Boubastos to summon Demetrios to Diophanes the strategos, and, if the allegations made in this complaint are correct, to make him promise to give us our rights. If this comes about, we shall have obtained justice. Farewell.

To Meleagros. If possible, reconcile them. If not, send them to me for examination. Year 25, Loios 26, Choiach 13.

Year 25, Loios 26, Choiach 13. Theodotos, Gaddaios, and Phanias against Demetrios, concerning the rent of a holding.

[60]   Idomeneus : Inundation of a field

To king Ptolemy greetings from Idomeneus, a farmer of the gift-estate of Chrysermos, from the village of Kaminoi. I am wronged by Petobastis son of Taos and Horos son of Keleēsis, who are from the same village. When I leased 2 arouras from the estate of Chrysermos and sowed the land with arakos, the aforementioned Petobastis and Horos inundated the sown field, so that the arakos was destroyed, and I am unable to recover the expenses that have been incurred on the land. I ask you therefore, my king, if it seems good to you, to direct Diophanes the strategos to write to Hephaistion the epistates that he should summon Petobastis and Horos, the ones who I am accusing, to Crocodilopolis, so that we may be judged before Diophanes, and if I prove that they inundated my sown field, that they may be compelled to make restitution for my land, and to pay the taxes for it, and to give to me in exchange from the land which they farm the amount of land equal to what they inundated. If this happens, my king, having sought refuge with you, I will be able to pay the rents to Chrysermos; and I will have met with kindness from you. Farewell.

To Hephaistion. Preferably reconcile them; but if not, send them to [us?] (from the 10th day of Choiach), so that a proper judgment may be given to them. Year 4, Daisios 27, Hathyr 29.

Year 4, Daisios 27, Hathyr 29. Idomeneus, a farmer of the gift-estate of Chrysermos, against Petobastis and Horos, concerning the flooding of land.

[64]   Ptolema : Usufruct of a palm grove

[To King Ptolemy, greeting] from Ptolema. I am wronged by Neilos. Theodotos, my . . ., had leased the harvest of the palm grove that Neilos owns in Samareia, for [the 26th year? and] Theodotos [had already paid] the price of the harvest, for which Neilos had given him a receipt . . . Now Theodotos died before he had brought in the harvest and I, [being heir to] the property left by Theodotos, [intended to bring in] the harvest [to provide for my own] subsistence and to [repay] Theodotos's creditors. But Neilos, coming in [the month] of Mesore, evicted me from the aforesaid palm grove . . . So, since it is impossible for me to bring a lawsuit against him, because . . .[and] my affairs require examination . . . [I beg you, O king,] to order Diophanes the strategos to write to . . . the epistates that he should send [Neilos before Diophanes . . . ], and if the facts are as I have written, he should force him to pay me the price [of the harvest . . . . . that is] 100 drachmas; as for the crime he committed in evicting me, Diophanes [will decide as] he sees fit. [If this happens, thanks to you,] O king, I will obtain justice. [May you prosper.]

[To . . . Preferably reconcile them.] If not, send them to me so that justice may be done to them according to the laws. Year 1, Gorpiaios 30, Tybi 13.

[69]   Hēdistē : Encroachment on a plot of land

Translated by:   S.R. Llewelyn, "New Documents Illustrating Early Christianity", vol. 7, pp.143-144.

To king Ptolemy, greeting from Hediste daughter of Nikanor, Macedonian. I am wronged by a certain Demetrios, a doctor and inhabitant of Karanis. For though I own a portion of vacant land to the north of the constructions which I acquired by sale in the aforementioned village, Demetrios entered into this place and did me violence by carrying bricks and digging foundations, so as to build a house. Therefore I ask you, king, to order Diophanes the strategos to write to Lysimachos the epistates, telling him to send Demetrios before Diophanes so that, after he has examined the matter, he may not permit him to encroach on what is not his, and until the case has been heard, that he may not permit anyone to start building. For if this occurs, after having recourse to you, king, I will attain every assistance. May you prosper.

To Lysimachos. Preferably reconcile them. If not, send them to us that they may be judged before the appropriate court. Year 4, Daisios 27, Hathyr 29.

Year 4, Daisios 27, Hathyr 29. Hediste daughter of Nikanor, Macedonian, against Demetrios, concerning a place.

[85]   Plaison : Negligence of the epistates Deinias

To king Ptolemy, greeting from Plaison son of Eudoxos, of the deme Theoxeneios, belonging to the detachment of Dionysios . . . [I have already presented] a request to Diophanes the strategos, in which I informed him of various things and requested permission to dispose of the wheat . . . which Diophanes had written instructing Deinias to withhold. My request was approved and, [as I undertook to] prove the dishonest actions of Lamedon and Phormion, Diophanes wrote [to Deinias to lift the sequestration (?)]. I handed the letter to Deinias and gave him the proof [of . . . then] Lamedon [requested that], if I recovered the wheat, with 12 artabas of wheat as katharsis for the 100 artabas, . . . he has, until now, completely disregarded me. [I beg you therefore, O king,] to order Diophanes the strategos to write to Deinias the epistates that he should report about [these matters and lift the sequestration] of the corn, in accordance with the written instructions he received; moreover, since Lamedon requested that, after recovering the corn, I [should ] . . . that the contract be withdrawn from him. If this happens, O king, then after having recourse to you, [I shall obtain justice].   [May you prosper].

To Deinias. Report to us about the [matters] that he has mentioned above. Year 1, [Gorpiaios 28, Tybi 12] .

Year 1, Gorpiaios 28, Tybi 12. Plaison , concerning what he requests that we should write to Deinias.

[87]   Apollodotos : Wrongful accusation of debt

Translated by:   H-J. Klauck, "Ancient Letters and the New Testament", p. 71.

To king Ptolemy greetings from Apollodotos, one of the inhabitants in Alabanthis. I am being wronged by Mnaseas, the oikonomos of the outer regions. Though I owe nothing to the king and am also not registered by him in a list of debtors, he takes a pledge from me and vexes my goose-herd. I therefore ask you, king, if it seems good to you, to give an order to the strategos Diophanes to write to the epistates Herodotos that he, if I am shown as owing nothing nor having been registered as a debtor by Mnaseas, should not allow Mnaseas to take a pledge from me nor to vex my people. Once this has happened, I will be someone who through you, king, has attained justice. May you prosper.

To Herodotos . . . Year 25, Loios 26, Choiach 13.

Year 25, Loios 26, Choiach 13. Apollodotos against Mnaseas, concerning a pledge.

Attalus' home page   |   21.04.25   |   Any comments?