Many letters from the Zenon Archive are already available in translation via papyri.info. Some more translations have been collected here. They include documents in letter format, such as petitions and declarations, as well as private letters.
The numbers in brackets are the dates (years B.C.).
← Previous years (261-257 B.C.) | Followinig years (251-235 B.C.) →
The writer has not yet been identified, but I think it is safe to assume that he was one of Zenon's early correspondents. I venture to suggest that the letter was written in Alexandria or in Palestine between years 26 and 29. I imagine that the writer was one of Zenon's subordinates and that Zenon had lately parted from him on one of his voyages between Egypt and Syria.
. . . to Zenon greeting. If you are well, it would be good. I myself am well. After you sailed out I brought in the man who cures the dice made from gazelles' bones, and after examining them he said that they had been extracted from the raw flesh, and for that reason ... He said therefore they could not be made wax-like, for after a year he said they would change, but he said that he would make them [passable], but with great trouble he said, so much so that he did not think they were worth it. As for the treatment we shall try to get them done for a chalkous each, or at most for two chalkoi; for he himself pretends that he does dice for people at court (?) for half an obol each; and he said we might ask Antipatros the Etesian (?), for he has cured dice for him he said. As soon as you receive my letter then, write to me what to do about this before the time runs away. Know too that Patron was not willing to take Apollophanes with him, but has given us a great deal of trouble. But I went to see Melas and declared myself ready to be inscribed as a warrantor along with another of the citizens. And he seeing by this that Apollophanes was not by any means going to be left behind, as we too were fighting against him, took him on board. My further news I will write to you in greater detail than it was possible for me to do now. And try to write to me promptly about everything. Farewell.
The letter is not dated , but there is good reason for attributing it to the early years of the correspondence.
Archelaos to Kriton greeting. We are in need of two spars forty cubits long ( twenty cubits each ) and a boat of three sculls. So by Zeus and the gods lose no time in going over to the market and buying them, for this is the only thing that detains us, so that we may not be behindhand with our business. Get the money to pay for them from Apollophanes. Seeing myself obliged to make the journey I have left my wife behind, as she is with child. Please then be attentive in sending to them and doing for them anything they may require. And if it be possible, buy six choes of olive oil from Charmides and give it to them ; for they say that he is selling. Farewell.
Although the name of the sender has been lost, this extract gives a good indication of the geographical range of Zenon's interests during these years - from Miletos and Zenon's home city of Kaunos in Caria, down to Gaza and Rabbatammana {modern Amman}.
. . . Also in Kaunos he exchanged one new pillow for an old one (and he received the price), for . . . who came from Nikanor, and he exchanged another two old pillows for new ones, for Troilos the slave; and he has the price of the bed-cover and one pillow, which he writes that Hermokles has; he sent these from Miletos to Halikarnassos at the time when he sent the bedsteads and the rug; and he exchanged the bed-frame for his own bed, which his wife now has in Alexandria; and he has another bed-cover in Gaza, which he said was lost; and after buying another cheap bed-cover from Stachys for 6 drachmas he sold the expensive bed-clothes in Rabbatammana; and another one, which he said was lost in Halikarnassos, was not lost, but he still has it. And you should force him to swear concerning the bed-band [that . . .] in Ptolemais, if you so wish. The slave-boy will report the rest, if you question him. And if Herakleides had been there, he would have reported to you about the bed-covers . . .
We gather that Dionysios was employed on one of the estates of Apollonios , under the immediate orders of Nikon and Addaios. Dionysios , whose duty it was to measure out corn on the estate , had got in to trouble and had apparently been arrested . The accusation against him seems to have been that he had used the wrong measure , and as he speaks of a difference of ten per cent it is probable that he had been reckoning thirty-six choinikes to the artaba instead of forty. The choinix was a fixed quantity, the artaba a very variable one.
To Zenon greeting from Dionysios the corn-measurer. I beg and beseech you , praying you by your ancestral gods and the health of Apollonios , not to allow me to be wronged , but , if possible , to inquire yourself about my case , or if not , to order Artemidoros to accept securities for my presence until Apollonios shall arrive and inquire about these matters : for I have made no profit through the business , I was merely the servant of his agents Nikon and Addaios , drawing a salary and a corn-allowance : or at least order them to credit me with the amount measured out by the official measure , and in future we will pay up the extra ten per cent as Apollonios writes . To you then I flee for refuge , counting you equal to Apollonios ; for whatever judgement you may pass on me , I will carry it out as far as my part is concerned. May you prosper.
See the Inventory of Ancient Associations.
Demetrios and Petechon, dekadarchs of the Arabs in Philadelphia, to Apollonios, greeting. We beg that you will give us an overseer - for we do not have one - either Sostratos or Maron; and they are some amongst the Arabs with us, who could provide what is needed. Therefore we beg that you write to Zoilos with instructions that he should assign to us whoever we set forward. And concerning the wages, give instructions that they should be paid to us without fail every month, because you know that we rely (?) on the wages. Farewell.
By the end of year 29 Zenon's name begins to appear on contracts and receipts written at Philadelphia. The present letter shows that he was giving orders about his master's property in the winter of that year, but whether he was already settled at Philadelphia is not certain.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. You have done well to order that the garden olive and laurel shoots should be planted in our park. Farewell. Year 29, Audnaios 14, Choiak 14.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 29, Peritios 11, Tybi 11. From Apollonios, concerning garden olive trees.
Zenon was now established at Philadelphia , and Symbotes was no doubt a cleruch to whom a portion of land was being allotted in the neighbourhood. The land which was to be given to him had been already sown , and Zenon was interested in it ; but the crop could not be dealt with until the new kleros had been properly delimited.
Mys to Zenon greeting. Concerning Symbōtes I wrote you once before that we have frequently asked him , both by letter and by word of mouth , to take possession of the land , and now again I thought it well to remind you ; for on account of the land having been selected for him and not yet measured out we can not touch the crops from this area , with the result that they are being ruined . And though we keep on explaining about this to Symbotes , he pays no heed but disputes with the royal scribe , opining that his allotment ought to be measured with the regular schoenion , which makes a difference of ten arouras in the hundred. You will oblige me then by sending me word as soon as possible whatever you may decide about this. Farewell. Year 29 , Mecheir 30 .
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 29, Phamenoth 1. Mys concerning Symbotes.
It is much to be regretted that this and the following letter of Apollonios are so incomplete. Both are concerned with the laying-out of the town of Philadelphia. The text shows the interest that Apollonios look in the planning of the town and the arrangement of public buildings.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. [Arrange for] a temple of Sarapis to be built [as well as the] temple of Isis, [alongside the] temple of the Dioskouroi and the [space] that has been left . . . [Take care] that there is one walkway [for both] temples alongside the canal. Farewell. Year . . .
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year .., Dystros 4, Phamenoth 4. Apollonios concerning a temple of Sarapis.
Mys to Zenon greeting. If you are well, and [everything else] is in good order for you, that would be as we wish. We too are in good health, and we think of you constantly. We are concerned to hear that you are straining yourself. So do me a favour and look after yourself, that you keep in good health. Write to us to say how you are, so that when we know we may not be so anxious. Farewell. Year 29, Phamenoth 17.
{Addressed:} To Zenon.
Kritias to Zenon greeting. They are preparing to gather the grapes. Send guards, not less than ten, and write to my men to help guard. Write also to Hegesianax lest some violence should occur. Farewell. Year 30, Pachons 25.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 30, Artemisios 26, Pachons 26. From Kritias, concerning guards for the grapes .
The fame enjoyed by Milesian wool is alluded to by Theocritus, xv.126. But it is not necessary to suppose that the wool of which Apollonios speaks was imported from Miletos , for in another letter of his we hear of Milesian sheep in the Fayoum.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. You have done well to distribute Milesian wool to the slave-girls in Memphis, and now give orders to let them have as much as they need. Farewell. Year 30, Artemisios 10, Pachons 9.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 30 , Artemisios 29, Pachons 29. From Apollonios , concerning Milesian wool, that the slave-girls have some and that more should be given to them.
Artemidoros to Zenon greeting. Please send us the price of all the cattle you have bought so that we may credit it to the account of Apollonios. For Apollonios has written to us to pay the price of the cattle which have been sold into his own account. Farewell. Year 3, Epeiph 8.
{Addressed:} To Zenon.
{Docketed:} Year 30, Panemos 9, Epeiph 9. Artemidoros about the cattle.
This letter was sent from Alexandria, where Zenon's brother Epharmostos was staying.
Hierokles to Zenon greeting. If you are well, and in other matters you are getting along as you wish, that would be good. I also am well, and so is Epharmostos. Kallikon has sent a slave called Onesimos to Herakleopolis, to fetch something for him, and Ptolemaios has asked him to visit you on the way. Please buy a himation and another chiton summer himation for Ptolemaios, and give them to the slave so that he can bring them, since it would take too long for you to do it, and Ptolemaios is in need of them. He has not bought them from here, because he has heard that they are cheaper up the river. Farewell.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 30, Panemos 12, Epeiph 2. From Hierokles, concerning (?) purchases.
In the course of the 28th year ninety artabas of wheat , which Theodoros had paid in from somewhere in the interior, had been sent down to Alexandria to be placed to his credit. During the first half of year 29, fifty-five artabas had been delivered to him by Artemidoros, the steward of the household of Apollonios in Alexandria. Now after the lapse of a year he asks Zenon to give an order for the delivery of the remainder.
Theodoros to Zenon greeting. In year 28, 90 artabas of wheat, which we had measured out from the countryside, were transported to Alexandria for us. Of these there has been measured out to us on your instructions by Artemidoros in Alexandria, on 11th Xandikos: one artaba, on the 20th: 4 artabas, on the 30th: 10 artabas, on the 26th Artemisios: 10 artabas, on the 5th Loios: 30 artabas, total: 55 artabas, and there is still owed to us by you 35 artabas. You will do well then to write and say from whom we shall receive the rest. For we have borrowed corn from Artemidoros the scribe, and we are anxious to repay it. And now, as we are staying in Alexandria, we have requested it from Artemidoros the steward of the household, and told him that you still owe it to us, but he said that it was not his business and that even if you wrote to him he could not execute the order. Therefore see to it that it is delivered, as otherwise we will have to hold you responsible for the price of it, unless (lastly) you approve that the others and the associates of Simylos should receive their due, but that what is owed to me should be neglected by you. Artemidoros the scribe says that you have written that the corn should be measured out to me, but no-one has paid any attention. Farewell.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 30 , Loios 2, Mesore 2. From Theodoros , concerning amounts of corn.
Greetings to Zenon from Apollophanes and Demetrios, brothers, producers of all kinds of woollen clothing for women. If you would like to, and if by chance you have need, we are ready to supply what you want. We have heard speak of the glory of the city {Philadelphia} as well as of the goodness and justice with which you administer it. That is why we have decided to come to you, to Philadelphia, with our mother and wife so that we might be workers. Summon us if you would like us to work. We make, as you wish, cloaks, tunics, girdles, dresses, belts, ribbons, split tunics, trimming, everything to size. And we can teach our trade, if you like. Tell Nikias to provide lodging for us. So that we won't seem strangers to you, we can supply references from people known to you, some from here whom you can trust, others from Moithymis. Farewell.
{Docketed} Year 30, Gorpieios 28, Thoth 28. From Apollophanes and Demetrios, brothers.
What was this land about which we find the king giving instructions to his minister? It is difficult to say. Probably it was either a part of the estate which Apollonios held as a gift from the king, or else a special piece of unleased Crown land which Zenon had been charged to cultivate.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. The king has ordered me to sow a second crop on the land. Therefore, as soon as you have harvested the early corn, water the land by hand, or if that is not possible, erect several shadoufs so that you can water it, but do not flood the land for more than five days; and as soon as it dries, sow the three-month corn. Write to us to say when you will be able to harvest the crop. Farewell. Year 30, Dios 13, Athyr 3.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} . . . concerning sowing.
The letter shows how thoroughly Isis had been already adopted by the highest Greek circles in Alexandria. In a great household like that of Apollonios religious festivals were welcome events. Money and clothes were distributed among the servants; coal and firewood were used in large quantities: and many animals were sent down the river to be sacrificed and eaten.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. From your store of dry wood load a boat with logs, as many and as thick as possible, and send them immediately to Alexandria, in order that we may have a supply for the festival of Isis. Farewell. Year 30, Dios 3, Phaophi 23.
{Docketed} Year 30, Dios 18, Athyr 18. Apollonios concerning wood for the festival of Isis, to Zenon.
Apollonios had an establishment at Memphis, including a large garden which helped to stock his new orchards at Philadelphia. The shoots would probably be carried on donkeys by the desert track which is still in use.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. Fetch over from Memphis as many pear shoots and nurslings as possible, both from our own garden and from the palace, and get also some sweet-apple trees from Hermaphilos, and plant them. Farewell. Year 30, Dios 13, Athyr 3.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 30, Dios 23, Athyr 23. Concerning pear shoots.
Apollonios was probably thinking of masts and spars for the king's navy. In the other letters the trees about which he gives instrudions to Zenon are fruit-trees, grown for the sake of the fruit; here for the first time we find him planting for the sake of timber.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. Plant fir-trees all over the park and round the vineyard and the olive groves, and see that you put in not less thau three hundred and, if possible, more. For the tree has an attractive appearance and will be useful for the king. Farewell. Year 30, Dios 13, Athyr 3.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 30, Dios 23, Athyr 23. Concerning fir-trees.
Various alternative dates have been suggested for this letter.
Zenon to Kleon greetings. The water in the canal has not risen more than a cubit, so the land cannot be watered from it. Therefore you would be well advised to open the sluice-gates to irrigate the land. Farewell. Year (?) 28, Mesore 23.
{Addressed} To Kleon.
{Docketed} Year .., Mesore 24 . . .
Nikon had furnished some olive oil for the use of "the men" and he begs Zenon to write and tell Nikanor to repay him . He then proceeds to complain of his own distressing circumstances , which he ascribes to the severity of Apollonios.
Nikon to Zenon greeting. If you are well and everything else is as you desire, that would be a cause for much gratitude to the gods. I too am well. Please write to Nikanor about the olive oil which we have given for the men, and ask him to repay it to us. It amounts to five choeis. As for the matter about which I wrote to you previously, if it seems right to you, please send it to us, because I think you are not unaware that, if we do not receive something from you, I will perish from hunger (?) before I know where I am, since we can only recover with the help of Apollonios, but it so happens that we are thoroughly afraid that we have committed the greatest offence. Menemachos urged me to sail down to Alexandria and see Apollonios, and promised that he would speak on our behalf so that we can achieve something, and he said that it would most help us if we could remind him about the work at Philadelphia. Write to me to say whether you agreee that I should sail down so that we can meet him. And if you decide to give us some corn, so that we do not have to buy it at a high price, order it to be given to Agathinos, so that he may bring it to us. Farewell.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 30 , Dios 18, Athyr 18. From Nikon, concerning olive oil.
The Reserve from which Apollonios promises to send Zenon a further supply of fruit-trees, was the reserved territory round Alexandria, no doubt richer in gardens and orchards than any other district in Egypt.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. It is time to begin planting the vine and the olive and the other shoots. Send for a supply then from Memphis and the other districts and give orders to begin planting. We too will send you from the Reserve another lot of vine shoots and other sorts, as many as may be needed. Farewell. Year 30, Dios 24, Athyr 14.
Many cattle for ploughing were kept on the estate of Apollonios and lent out by Zenon to the farmers who were working land for him, perhaps also hired out to other farmers in the neighbourhood.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. Draw up and send us a list of all the present yokes of cattle, female and male, so that we may buy some more and send them to be delivered to you immediately. Farewell. Year 30, Peritios . . .
A woman called Sphragis had been robbed on her way to Sophthis, a village in the Memphite nome. She had already presented a petition to Zenon , and she now addresses him for the second time, giving him a list of the objects stolen and begging him to write to Leontiskos the archiphylakites. Leontiskos is again mentioned in P.S.I. 440 in connection with Sophthis , which may be the village of Saft near Meidoum. Sphragis may perhaps have lived at Philadelphia, but the writers of the other petition state that they were inhabitants of Sophthis : apparently then Zenon was regarded as the chief local authority in these parts, though he actually resided in a different nome.
Sphragis to Zenon greeting. I gave you a petition previously about what was stolen from me while I was going to Sophthis, in the Memphite nome, to collect wool. The details of what I lost are: two mantles (12 drachmas), some wool (2 drachmas) and some copper money (2 drachmas); total, 16 drachmas. Therefore I beg you, if it seems good to you, to take pity on me and write to Leontiskos, the chief policeman, to investigate the stolen things, and to return them to me. They have reported to me that they have found them. Farewell. Year 30, Daisios 11, Pauni (?) 11.
{Docketed} Sphragis, if I would write to Leontiskos.
This is merely a formal approval of an item of expenditure in the account of Apollonios. Hay was bound up in sheaves weighing two minas, and one aroura was supposed to produce about 1200 sheaves. Two hundred drachmas would therefore be sufficient for a very large area.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. You have done well to give the two hundred drachmas of copper to pay for the binding of the hay. Farewell. Year 31, Daisios 16, Pauni 2.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 31, Daisios 17, Pauni 9. Apollonios, concerning the two hundred drachmas to pay for hay.
The scene of the dispute was the estate of Apollonios in the Memphite nome, of which Paramonos was an overseer, apparently under the general supervision of Zenon. Certain cleruchs claimed that part of the vineyards there belonged to their holdings and not to the estate. It was agreed, after what preliminaries we do not know, that the case should come up for trial before Krataimenes.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. Concerning the vineyards about which we have a dispute with the cleruchs in the Memphite nome, I have written to Krataimenes and Paramonos and have sent you copies of my letters to them in order that you may follow the case. Farewell. Year 31, Daisios 16, Pauni 2.
Apollonios to Krataimenes greeting. Since those who agreed to come have not appeared against us for the trial of the case about the disputed vineyards, please give an order to keep the crops under watch. Farewell.
To Pammonos. Since the cleruchs after trespassing on the land give to us by the king have not come to the trial of the case before Krataimenes , make it your care to see that watch be kept on the crops when gathered. Farewell.
Psenemous to Zenon greeting. The outlying peasants have taken out their [mules and shovels] and opened the irrigation ditches at the ends of the ten thousand arouras. People from Philadelphia attacked them, [chasing away] the mules and breaking [the shovels]. I sent Pelois, son of Pachos, to [tell you of this]. But I presume that you already know of these ugly incidents. In order that this business be cleared up as soon as possible, you would do well to order that [their land] be supplied with water . . .
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 31, Daisios 1, Pauni 11. From Psenemous, concerning . . . of water.
I take this to be the meaning of the letter, but with some diffidence as to whether my restoration of the text is correct.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. As for the [shoots] of the olive trees, take not less than 3000 from our park as well as from the gardens in Memphis. And before the fruit is gathered, mark [each tree] from which you intend to take shoots, especially the wild olive and the (?) laurel; for the Egyptian olive is not suitable for olive-groves, but only for parks. Farewell. Year 31 . . .
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 31, Loios 28, Mesore 18. Apollonios concerning 3000 shoots.
A farmer on Apollonios' land had been arrested because he had failed to pay the salt-tax or some other tax. It is noteworthy that the persons responsible for the arrest are Boubalos and Spendates, who do not seem to have been Government officials, but merely employees of the land-holder. These agents had evidently power to arrest defaulters, but might exercise leniency if it were to the interest of their employer to do so.
. . . we are privileged because we farm the land of Apollonios. You will do a kindness then by writing to Boubalos and Spendates about the farmer, requesting that he be set at liberty until the tax-collectors arrive, in order that the land may be weeded. I will come to see you immediately. I have added a copy of the letter of Apollonios.
Apollonios to Thrason and Paramonos greeting. Do not worry the farmers in Tapteia about the salt tax. Farewell. Year 30, Peritios intercalary, Mecheir 23.
{P.S.} Patroklos is also bringing you two wild fowl and six goose's eggs.
In this fragmentary letter Apollonios orders Zenon to show a distinguished visitor called Antikritos round the new town. One cannot but infer from this and the preceding letter that Philadelphia was practically founded by Apollonios and that, if a native village stood on the site before his time, it was a very small affair.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. [When] Antikritos [arrives, show him] the [whole] village and the place where we intend [to build the temple] of the king and of Arsinoē Philadelphos, [the gods Adelphoi], and the walkway and the sacred precinct. [Show him] also the embankments and the [. . . of my gift], and explain that we have only recently [started work] on building [the village]. Farewell . . .
The writer of this memorandum did not find it easy to express himself in Greek, and he made several corrections to his draft.
Memorandum from Petosiris to Zenon greetings. Pais the weigher, the farmer, now this place inhabits now inhabits. It is not his, but belongs to the crown. He borrowed from me for several months until he built his own place, and you have given him and his brother 20 drachmas for the building of this house, this house of which he has sold half to Phanesis the oil-seller for 64 drachmas, but the other half Koroibides he (?) is going to buy. And he has another place from the treasury {i.e. from crown funds?}, and this he sold to Horos, the one in charge of the castor, and he has by no means sold built a house, other than the ones which he has now sold.
For Apollonios' interest in Milesian wool, see also PCairZen_59142.
Apollonios to Zenon and Panakestor greeting. I sent you Maron to be responsible for the Milesian sheep. Therefore hand over to him the sheep and the sheep enclosure and any other material. Introduce him to the shepherds to work under his orders. Give him also four boys to train. Farewell. Year 31, Apellaios ...
We have little definite information about the conditions under which the manufacture and sale of beer were carried on. We may infer from this letter that the brewery was Government property, and that probably the monopoly of beer in Philadelphia was leased to the brewer who made the most satisfactory offer.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. . . ., one of the brewers from the Arsinoite nome, has undertaken to take over the beer-shop in Philadelphia, paying 12 artabas of barley per day to the royal treasury. Therefore, draw up a contract with him, and after receiving a written declaration hand over the brewery to him. But you should also instal a reliable collector to exercise control over the work. And the present brewer must settle up for the period during which he has run the business. Farewell. Year 31, intercalary Peritios 28, Phamenoth 6.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Concerning the brewer (?) Pais.
Boubalos to Zenon, greetings. Athenagoras has written to Hermolaos that the king is coming and that a military market and fodder must be prepared. Therefore I have set aside the hay we have harvested for you, so that it will not be taken away, and it is on its way. You would do well to send the mules to bring it back to Moithymis quickly, so that when the king passes by it will not be plundered by the troops. Farewell. Year 32, Pachons 23.
Part of a report from one of the men who looked after Zenon's pigs or who leased them from him paying rent in kind. There is an interesting reference to Kleon the architect, to whom the writer had told the story of his trouble with the police; but whether Kleon was interested in the pigs or was merely appealed to as an influential friend is not clear.
. . . has gone to you, [to say] that his pigs are ready to be counted. Send him to me therefore immediately and I guarantee you with regard to him both the sows and the rent. Horos son of ...ton the chief policeman of Krokodilopolis detained me for three days as I was bringing you down the pigs. Of these the three best disappeared. I informed Kleon (?) the architect also. I have sent the following swineherds to bring you the pigs, Teos son of Paapis, Sontos son of Horos, Onnophris son of Pa..., Psenanouphis son of Tamaus, Sontos son of Pasis. Farewell. Year 32, Epeiph 5.
It seems certain that irrigation work on Apollonios' estate were given out by him to contractors and paid for out of his private purse. But the relations between Apollonios, as a landed proprietor, and the Irrigation Service remain to me rather obscure.
Apollonios to Zenon greeting. Give out to contractors the work on the canal to the west of the ten thousand arourai. Farewell. Year 32, Hyperberetaios 13, Phaophi 13.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} [Year 32, Phaophi] . . . Apollonios concerning contractors [for the canal].
Apollonios to Zenon, greetings. I am sending you a copy of my letter to Nikeratos. As soon as the timbers have been brought to . . ., go there and order their transport to Philadelphia by canal, and ensure that this is done with care. Farewell. Year 32, Hyperberetaios 25, Phaophi 25.
To Nikeratos. We have given orders to load the timbers, purchased for us through Phanesis, onto ships and to send them to you. As soon as they arrive, give orders to unload them and ensure that they are safe; for we have ordered Zeno to transport them to Philadelphia by canal. Farewell.
{Addressed:} To Zenon.
This is evidently not a private transaction , as the receipts are made out to Python the royal banker in Krokodilopolis and to Philiskos the oikonomos of the Arsinoite nome. We may assume that the price of the crops was put to the credit of Zenon or Apollonios in the royal bank. Thrasymedes , who is not mentioned elsewhere in our papyri , I take to be a representative of the oil monopoly.
Thrasymedes to Zenon greeting. According to what you wrote to us about the 100 artabas of sesame which you measured out on the . . . of M... in the 31st year, Etearchos having come to us , we wrote the receipt to Python , as well as for the 105 artabas of cnecus which you measured out on the 10th of Epeiph in the 32nd year. As for the poppy seed , if a note be given us of the amount , we will write a receipt to Philiskos , together with one for the 300 artabas of sesame , if you will write or instruct us accordingly, in order that the sesame may be used for the oil-factory. Farewell. Year 32, Phaophi 26.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 32, Phaophi. Thrasymedes . . .
Artemidoros to Zenon, greetings. If you are well, it would be good; and I am well too, and Apollonios was well, and the rest was according to our wishes. The sons of Leptines, Nikandros and Myrikon, have a stallion in Pharbaithos, a black one, which has large swellings [on its legs] and is useful for nothing else apart from impregnating [the mares]. And I learn that the young men are very well known to you. So would you please make a particular effort to buy me the stallion from them for impregnating [the mares], if it is possible to get it cheaply; but if it is not for sale, borrow it for me for the mounting impregnating [of the mares] - for if you are keen, they will certainly not oppose you - and it will receive every attention. And in whichever way you manage the business, you will gratify me by writing as quickly as possible, in order that I may know if it is mine. For since the stallion at my place is now rather old he does not lord it over the mares. And I sent word to you also about the sesame crop which I have in the holding, in order that you should be attentive about the harvest, so that it should be harvested in a certain manner, and you should write to me how much there is. So would you please send me word also about these matters. Farewell. Year 32, Apellaios 5.
{Addressed} To Philadelphia. To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 32. Artemidoros, doctor.
The letter is written in the chancery hand used by the scribes of Apollonios. But some phrases suggest that the author may not have been the dioiketes himself, but one of his subordinates - perhaps Metrodoros, whose letters are written in the same hand. The writer acknowledges receipt of a consignment of wildfowl and other game sent as a gift to the king at the festival of the Theoi Adelphoi, which, so far as I know, it is not mentioned elsewhere.
Metrodoros (?) to Zenon greeting. Know that [the gifts which you sent on behalf of Apollonios?] to be given to the king for the . .. and the festival of the Brother gods, under the charge of . . ., have arrived and have been presented. I have appended a list of them for you. And in order that for the future they may be carried tax-free according to custom, [send with them a note?] to the toll-houses. Farewell. Year 32, Audnaios . . .
2 [hares], 2 wild birds, .. white-browed . . . and of dead creatures 35 (?) : . . . 22 hares, 9 wild birds, .. white-browed . . .
{Addressed} To Zenon.
Sostratos to Zenon, greetings. On the 26th, as I was returning from the plain, the dog handlers brought me the female dog - the one that Apollonios had sent - dead. I'm writing to let you know. Farewell. Year 32, Tybi 26.
{Addressed:} To Zenon.
Haynchis to Zenon greeting. Taking beer from the large beer shop I dispose of 4 drachmas' worth daily and pay regularly. But Demetrios the vine dresser has deceived my daughter and taken her away; he keeps her in hiding, saying that he is going to live with her without me. But she was managing the store with me and supported me, since I am old. Now, therefore, I sustain loss since she is gone, and I myself do not have the necessities. But he also has another wife and children so that he cannot live with the woman he deceived. I ask you then to help me because of my old age and give her back to me. Farewell.
{Docketed} Year 32, Mecheir. From Haynchis.
Written in a beautiful hand of the same type as no. 59036. About four years previously, as appears from P. Mich. Zen . 18, a slave called Stachys, employed by Zenodoros, had run away but had been caught almost immediately. Whether it was the same Stachys about whom Perdikkas reports to Zenon in the present letter we can only guess; but the context suggests that he was a runaway slave and not the property of Asteropaios who was keeping him.
Perdikkas to Zenon greeting. In accordance with what you wrote I examined Aristomachos the brother of Asteropaios, in the presence of Thrason your agent, about the boy Stachys, and he said that Asteropaios had left the nome more than a year ago nor did he know where he was, but that he, Asteropaios, had the boy and if he hears where he is he will give us word. I have therefore written to let you know. Farewell. Year 33, Mechir 7.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
Another papyrus ( PCairZen_59763 ) contains details of payments made to Artemidoros and others for encaustic work.
To Zenon, greetings from Artemidoros. Sell off the encaustic works that are available, so that you can make a profit . . . for an obol a day is sufficient for me . . . They are forever in prostitutes and wine; and recently, during the allocation of the work, when they noticed that I wanted to do something more for you, the three of them subjected me to drunken abuse and brought me into the same state. Therefore I beg you, if you agree, to come to my aid, so that it does not happen again that I suffer drunken abuse while applying for work. Farewell.
{Docketed} Year 32, Phamenoth 22. From Artemidoros the encaustic painter.
Promethion was a banker and man of business at Mendes in the Delta; see in particular no. 59470. In PSl 362, one of Zenon's correspondents speaks of him as as an "excellent gentleman", and his letters, which are written in excellent Greek, do in fact give one the impression of an amiable personality.
Promethion to Zenon greeting. You have written to me about the wax to say that the cost per talent, including the toll at Memphis, comes to 44 drachmas, whereas you are told that with us it costs 40 drachmas. Now do not listen to the nonsense that people talk; for it is selling here at 48 drachmas. You will therefore oblige me by sending us as much as you can. Following your instructions I have given your agent Aigyptos 500 drachmas of silver towards the price of the wax, and the remainder, whatever it may be, I will pay immediately to whomever you tell me to. And of honey also let 5 metretai be procured for me. I appreciate the kindness and willingness which you always show to us, and if you yourself have any need of anything here, do not hesitate to write. Farewell. Year 33, Pharmouthi 19.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
Kleanax to Zenon greeting. Re: the mules for which I sent slaves to you, so that they might buy them for us, hand them over to you, and send them off with those of Apollonios to the estate of Apollonios in Memphis. It would be good if you had already taken care of the matter, but if you have not, see to it that they send them off safely, with yours as if they belonged to Apollonios, to prevent them being troubled in any way with taxes. And it would be good if you had already informed us, otherwise, write to us about them to say whether they have arrived, and whether they have been sent off and what steps you have taken to let us know that they are at our disposal, and that they are safe and well. But, if they have not yet arrived, please order your men, as we have asked you to do. Farewell. Year 33, Daisios 13.
{Docketed} Year 33, Pauni 19. Kleonax to Zenon.
This is one of a few letters from Zenon himself which by some chance have been preserved in his archives. Krotos was a commercial agent , and Peisikles a rather important person , a sort of paymaster , in the service of Apollonios.
Zenon to Krotos greeting. As soon as you get my letter, get twenty-five minas of wool from Pasis the Jew and contract with Artemidoros for the making of a mattress , long enough for a seat for two , or a little longer, and double-fronted : for it is required for Peisikles ; and as soon as you get the wool , send it to Memphis to Artemidoros and try to have it finished in fifteen days. We have written also to Pasis to give you the wool. Farewell. Year 33 , Epeiph 28.
Onnophris to Zenon, greetings. You told me to measure the land of the veterans. Therefore I measured it, and I found salt, unproductive land in it.
In the land of Andromachos, the ten-thousand arouras holder, there are 298 1/32 arouras, of which 44 23/32 are salt and unproductive. The specification of them individually in each holding is:
Dionysios : ...7/16 arouras, of which for salt land . . .
And in the land of Panouphis, the ten-thousand arouras holder, there are 200 9/16 arouras of land, of which the specification is:
Eunomos : 18 arouras, of which for a canal ⅜, for trenches ⅝, total 1, remainder 17;
Menoitios : 21 7/16 arouras,
of which for canals ⅜, for trenches 11/16, total 1 1/16, remainder 20 ⅜;
{in margin:} contains unirrigated land
Sotalas : 18 arouras, of which for canals ⅜, for trenches ⅝, total 1, remainder 17;
Poineitas : 22 5/16 arouras, of which for canals 7/16, for trenches 11/16, for salt land 1, total 2 ⅛, remainder 20 3/16:
{in margin:} it belongs to Lysandros
Xenon : 18 arouras, of which for a canal ⅜, for trenches ⅝, for salt land 1, total 2, remainder 16;
Pro... : 25 11/16 arouras, of which for a canal ¾, for trenches ⅝, for salt land 2, total 3 ⅜, remainder 22 5/16.
The total land of the two leases : 498 21/32 arouras,
of which for salt land 51 15/32, for canals 4 13/16, for trenches and dykes 6 ⅝; total: 62 13/32 arouras;
{in margin:} 200 9/16, 122 ¾, total 323 5/16 arouras
remainder : 436 ¼ arouras,
of which for barley-bearing land 80, for sesame-bearing land 356 ¼, of which for unirrigated hay-bearing land 10
. . . . . .
{Addressed:} To Zenon.
{Docketed:} [Year 3]3, Thoth 14. From Onnophris.
Euphragoras, who is not otherwise known to us, writes that a slave girl has escaped; and in the missing part of the letter he probably asked Zenon to arrest and send her back. The Macedonian date in the docket suggests that the letter was written some time before 252 B.C.
Euphragoras to Zenon greeting. The slave girl of a relative of mine has gone away from Herakleopolis, and we hear that she is staying [near] you . . .
{Docketed} Peritios 26 . . . Euphragoras.
Demetrios to Zenon, greeting. It would be well if you are in good bodily health and if in other respects you are prospering. I myself am in good health. Know that your father and Akrisios have arrived safely home. For some people arriving in Rhodes bring the news that the ship of Timokrates was in Rhodes, having just arrived from Kaunos. When they sailed away, they left behind cushions and leather pillows, which they asked Kimeon to send on to Kaunos. For the moment it is impossible for him to send them, but as soon as possible, when the fair weather comes, he will send them off immediately. The reason that the ship captain did not take the cushions with him was that he could not release them from customs, but he wasted several days while the ship was riding at anchor in the sea. And know that we did not receive the mina of silver, which you arranged for us to receive from Sostratos. Demetrios showed us the memorandum from you, in which you write with instructions to give it to us from the honey. The honey had already been sold by Isokrates the banker and his associates, and they said that the money was not sufficient even for them. So Sostratos has cheated us; after arranging that Proitos should give the money to us from the honey, again he ran off and contrived that the honey was never delivered to Proitos. I myself am anxious to sail up to meet you, but I did not have time to do so. For Antileon is writing the letter to you on my behalf. Farewell.
{Docketed} Year 33, Athyr 1. Demetrios to Zenon.
Concerning the mina of silver that he has not received, and concerning the cushions that are missing.
Horos to Zenon greeting. By 12 Choiak there will be 130 arourai sown with poppy. Please, do come and visit so you may feast your eyes on the sight. Farewell. Year 33, Choiak 12.
{On the back} We have an allotment to the north which give us 20 arourai on which to plant castor-oil {kiki}. Zenon, take the two parts and the owner can keep the third part.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
Report to Kollouthes, village scribe {komogrammateus} of Ammonias, from the cultivators of Ammonias, whose own sown lands have been allocated to the infantrymen. We are wronged by Nestos and Torrimmas and Zenon, being themselves judges, and they have taken away our land. For although the infantrymen were willing to let out the land to us, the cultivators who had sown it, in order that we should not be disturbed, being 150 in number, Nestos and Torimmas and Zenon prevented them and have contracted for the land. And since they have taken away our land, we ask that the seed-corn should be returned to us at . . . the arouras, according to the judgment. We have therefore written to you to inform you, for if we are wronged we shall depart, especially as Philiskos the oikonomos wrote that our case should be reviewed. Year 33, Choiach 21.
The peasants mentioned in line 1 probably cultivated the land, by agreement with the land-holders, under certain conditions. Being dissatisfied with their treatment they had fled to a place of refuge, the ancient equivalent to going on strike.
Kollouthes to Zenon greeting. After leaving you, I found that the peasants belonging to the land which has been portioned out among the soldiers have fled to the temple of Isis in the Memphite nome. So at the time when I received your letter, I was setting out for Krokodilopolis to ask Maimachos to rout them out. As soon as this is done I will come to you; for Maimachos was not staying in the village. Farewell. Year 33, Choiak ..
{Docketed} Year 33, Tybi 2. From Kollouthes.
Philinos to Zenon greetings. It would be good if you are well. I am well too myself. I have sent you nest-boxes (?), which . . ., and 60 pine-cones (?), and 22 pomegranates, and a cock-bird, red and fiery-eyed, and its sister {i.e. mate?}, fiery-eyed and black, another red bird from Nausinikos' ones, and its sister, black and goat-eyed . .. of these one grey, another male, ash-coloured and sharp-eyed, and this one's sister, white and fiery-eyed, another ash-coloured male and two black females, somewhat fiery-eyed, one black female with a broken tail (?) . . ., another large one, bronze-winged, with the eye white-edged, four black females and one speckled. Would you please give the double cloaks to my man Moschos, but the cages to Telestes' man Libanos. Farewell. Year 33, Tybi ..
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} [Year 33, Tybi] 5 (?), Philinos about the things which he sent.
The banker who wrote this letter is known from one other papyrus, recording a business agreement with Panakestor (P. Lond. 1963).
Po[seidon]ios to Zenon, greeting. As you wrote to me, I have given [your employee] Pyron the latest statement of your private account and pointed out to him the erroneous amounts of the discrepancy. He was detained here a few days because I was busy. Farewell. Year 34, Phamenoth 22.
{Docketed} Year 34, Phamenoth 28. . . . account.
{Addressed} To Zenon.
Phanias was a secretary of the cavalry. One of his duties was to inspect the troops in his district and see that they were properly mounted and equipped. In the present case he was coming to Philadelphia to review all the cadets in the Arsinoite nome and to administer an oath , which was perhaps required before they could be definitely confirmed in the possession of their allotments.
Phanias to Zenon greeting. I have decided to review all the cadets who have received allotments in the Arsinoite nome and to administer the oath to them in Philadelphia. Will you kindly then prepare me a lodging , for I am not very well at present and also I wish to be with you as long as possible. Farewell .
{Addressed} To Zenon.
{Docketed} Year 34 , Pachons 22. From Phanias , about his visit to Philadelphia.
The title of Philiskos has not yet been found in writing , but there is little doubt that he was at this time the chief oikonomos of the Arsinoite province. It is interesting to see that the complaint of the villagers was sent straight to the chief oikonomos and that he in turn ordered the nomarch to do what was necessary.
Philiskos to Zenon greeting. Before your letters arrived the people in Tanis wrote to me that the water . . . I therefore sent to Maimachos and ordered him to make haste to repair the mouth of the canal at Psenuris. So I have written to you to let you know. Farewell. Year 34 . . .
Pyron was the chief secretary of Zenon. The translation is by A. Sarri, Material Aspects of Letter Writing in the Graeco-Roman World (p. 102), who comments on the elegant style of Pyron's letters. An aolion (or aōilion) was an Egyptian measure of capacity.
To Zenon greeting from Pyron. You will do well, regarding the wheat that we have for the 12th year, to pay through Petechon the 500 artabas of barley in money instead of kind, in compensation for the aolia that we have worked, so that we are not in debt since we have paid. And regarding the 40 artabas of wheat of the 34th year and the 150 artabas of barley, which our brother Menodoros has announced to us that you have given up to us, make an arrangement in a similar manner, so that we are not in debt.
And for the future, in order that we do not disturb you for a little corn, you will do well to see to it that from this year onwards we receive a plot of land, to which you will provide the first seeding, in order that we are able to live decently. For, from the 2 artabas that I receive, nothing remains. For, besides the secretaries that have been given to me by you, I also feed another one, and I give 1½ corn artabas, 3 drachmas in money, 3 kotylai of olive oil, and clothing worth 10 drachmas. And I additionally give to Hermolaos 2 kotylai of oil every month, and for clothing, which you yourself know, besides the daily provisions.
And for the travel to the north, in order that we do not travel in complete dishonour, if you agree, pleasing us and giving up 150 artabas of poppy seed for us, which you will set forth for sale together with your poppy seeds, and you will provide us with 100 drachmas for wheat which you will get from the sale of the poppy seed. May you prosper.
Followinig years (251-235 B.C.) →
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