These letters are part of a bundle of six letters, all dated to the same Egyptian year and addressed to Herianupis, or rather to his scribe, because it seems that at this time Herianupis had been summoned away to Alexandria. The letters make it clear that Herianupis had some judicial authority in a court at Memphis.
The translations are adapted from K. Sethe & J. Partsch, "Demotische Urkunden zum ägyptischen Bürgschaftsrechte vorzüglich der Ptolemäerzeit" (1920), nos. 16 & 17. Because the translation of B is incomplete, it has been supplemented by the translation of E. Revillout in "Revue égyptologique", vol. 5 (1887/88), pp. 47-48, which is shown in italics; however, like any translation made from demotic in the 19th century, Revillout's translation is likely to be inaccurate in some places.
There is a German translation of A in the Demotic Palaeographical Database Project; and also a German translation of another of the letters to Herianupis, BM EA 10786. The introductions to these translations provide further information about the provenance of the letters.
[A] Har-(en-)ditef, the son of Hôr, is the one who says:
I habitually ask all those who come south about the general's well-being, and they tell me: there is nothing wrong with you. Therefore my heart can be very content, but behold, I have already sent many letters downstream concerning Petekhon, the son of Pa-sa-aa, our kinsman, without receiving a reply, asking in these words:
If it happens that there is a provision {of surety} or some other matter, may I be able to be there for him immediately. If this is intended, may news of it be sent to me, so that I can hurry downstream before the due time.
I now ask that if there should be a provision {of surety} or any other matter, I may be there for him. My intention regarding Petekhon is to release him from custody. Please send me news of this. I have made my preparations to hurry downstream. I have sent Apollophanes, the young man, to inquire about Petekhon's well-being and the cost of his rations. The main thing is to send me news of your well-being, and of the actions that will be required there, until the gods of Egypt grant that you can be greeted in good spirits! Written in year 22, month 4 of the akhet season {Choiak}, day 21.
[B] From the hand of Hor, son of P-nacht
It happened that on the 18th of Tybi, I appeared before the strategos, saying: "I have come to see you about the extortion, for the officers have not given me the instructions that are in your hand. I am coming here for them. Send for them, for the officers have not answered me in a way that will satisfy my heart."
He sent me away, saying: "Follow me to the town of Chemmin, to those who have captured the scribe from the village of Paten." Permit me to go and follow him to the place where he went, that is, to Paatamen.
On the 21st of Tybi, I appeared before him. He ordered Senon, his chief scribe: "Entrust this to the officers. Have two officers work with this in mind to further attend to this matter." Now I will perform this task. I will see the strategos. May you give orders to the people of Paten.
I will board a boat for Paatamen on the 24th of Tybi, arriving there on the 25th. Those who have taken . . . Anupmai, coming with me to enable me to identify the named scribe. As for his son, I will have Dionysios, son of Phonchons, the officer, and Apollonios, agent of Ptolemaios, the young man, attend to him, as well as Hesmen, Paamennekht, and Pamench, saying: "Bring him to us!"
May you order Petamensutenneteru, son of Phonamen, and Dionysios, son of Phonchons, to make them come after him.
I have often seen this: the named man doing . . . . against the named priest.
On the 24th, we again informed him of this, saying: "I will see. There is nothing to be expected from the officers concerning the extortion. I will see, I will go to Herianupis, the general; because the officers will do nothing for me."
The strategos is leaving. I am carrying his sword behind him to Atamen. He has ordered me as follows: "Do not let the (guilty) man remain anywhere in the world."
You are inquiring about Harmachis, the son of Ese-em-ḥab, the village clerk of . . ., who should not be pursued. I have been able to do this, for he still has a total of 100 talents. They have appealed to the strategos for him, so that he should not be taken downstream under arrest. The list of names of those who provided (surety) for him is: Teos, son of Ese-em-ḥab, and Pambēkis, son of Ḥar-ʿo-ʿo, and Pa-pšen-pšen-nenchūtef (?), son of Ḥar-en-dŏtef, son of Harpbēkis, and Horos, son of Miysis, a total of four people. They provided (surety) for him. The strategos released him. They swore an oath regarding the sum of money, saying: "We will cause him to go downstream to attend to his affairs."
I will know, I will see, I will follow things up with the officers. There is nothing else. There is nothing more. Here is what I will make known in the house of Melas, for the sake of the prophet and the general: everything that ever happens to us. As concerns the officers, there is nothing else. I will be behind them to make everything turn out well. Fare well.
Written in year 22, in the first month of the peret season {Tybi}, day 22. To be given to the scribe of Herianupis, the general.
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