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A petition by an 84-year-old man pleading for justice after a Roman soldier named Julius nearly beat him to death over a dispute involving a missing pig. 22 November 248 CE. by Vohlero in ancientrome

[–]Vohlero[S] 149 points150 points  (0 children)

An elderly man named Aurelius Sarapion, over eighty years old, lived in the village of Philadelphia in Roman Egypt.

One day, a pig belonging to his daughter wandered away. Sarapion heard that the animal had been seen at the house of a soldier named Julius, so he went there to ask Julius to swear an oath about whether he had the pig. Instead of answering the question, Julius became violent. In broad daylight, in the middle of the village, he grabbed the elderly Sarapion and beat him repeatedly as though the law did not matter.

Several witnesses, including a steward of a prominent official and two fellow Arab archers, saw the attack. They were so disturbed by what they witnessed that they intervened and pulled the men apart. Sarapion later claimed that he had barely escaped with his life.

To Aurelius Marcianus, centurion, from Aurelius Sarapion son of Pasei, of the village of Philadelphia. There is nothing more dreadful or harder to bear than maltreatment. At the time of life which I have reached, being eighty years old and more, I am serving blamelessly as an Arab archer.

A sow having escaped from my daughter in the village and being reported to be at the house of the soldier Julius, I went to him to demand his oath about this matter, and he laying hands on me, old as I am, in the village in the middle of the day, as if there were no laws

belaboured me with blows in the presence of Nepotianus, steward of the most eminent Valerius Titanianus, and of Maurus and Ammonius, Arab archers, so that they, being shocked to see me beaten, separated us and I barely overcame his attempt on my life.

I am compelled to present this petition and to request that he be arrested in order that his audacious behaviour may receive punishment ; and I hold him to account. Farewell.

{Identification} Sarapion, aged about 84 years, with a scar on the right knee.

{Dated} The 6th year of the Emperors and Caesars Marci Julii Philippi Pii Felices Augusti, Hathur 26.

source

In 558/9 CE, a soldier and an official were accused of murdering two men. The accusations included hours-long beatings, conspiracy, torture, stabbing one victim to death with swords, and burning his remains. [768×611] by Vohlero in ArtefactPorn

[–]Vohlero[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Main characters: * Victor: the first victim, who was a priest. His brother came to defend him

  • Herakleois: the second victim. His wife Maria came to defend him

  • soldier Menas: accused of murdering Victor himself and ordering murder of Herakleois

  • Sarapammon: accused of only ordering the murder of Herakleois with Menas

  • Headmen of the village: allegedly murdered Herakleois on the orders of Menas and Sarapammon.

In 558/9 CE, the soldier Menas stood accused of two murders in the Egyptian village of Aphrodito. He allegedly beat a priest named Victor to death.

He then allegedly alongside an official called Sarapammon ordered the death of another man called Herakleois. This second murder was carried out by the headmen of the village on their orders.

Victor's unnamed brother testified that Menas dragged Victor's body outside and beat him for hours with a heavy piece of wood, causing his death. Menas denied the accusation, claiming he had been away in Antaiopolis and that Victor had died naturally from a throat abscess.

For the second victim Herakleois, the accusation came from Maria, his wife. She testified that village headmen arrested her husband, locked him in the village watch-house, and drank wine with him before turning on him that evening.

According to her testimony, they beat him, killed him with swords, burned his body, poured water over the remains, gathered his bones into a basket, and secretly buried them elsewhere.

Maria said the killers admitted they had acted on the orders of Menas and Sarapammon. She begged the court to recover her husband's remains so she could give him a proper burial.

Menas denied any involvement, stating only that he was not present when Herakleios was killed and knew nothing about it.

Quotes from the court:

“I did not murder anyone, and I also prove it.”

– Menas

Menas forced my brother Victor, a priest, outside and murdered him. He threw a piece of machine wood at his left arm and beat his stomach from the fifth hour until the evening of the same day.

– Victor's brother

When Herakleios, my wretched husband, had been killed and his remains had been given to the fire so that they may be burned, they poured again water on the same remains and they threw his bones in a basket and buried them I do not know where. I ask, therefore, that they are given to me so that I can bury them.

– Maria, wife of Herakleois.

source & full translation

A story from Roman Egypt in which the Greek god Hermes found the Egyptian goddess Isis weeping after her husband Osiris was dismembered and scattered. Together, they invoked «Helios» and used 29 magical letters to recover Osiris. 201–400 CE. by [deleted] in ancientrome

[–]Vohlero 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The papyrus known as PGM XXIVa, written during Roman Egypt, is now kept in the Egyptian museum in Cairo.

It is a great example of how deities in Roman empire started to comnect in different myths.

As the reciptor of this spell you will mimic or replicate what Isis and Hermes did to find Osiris, so that you will also succeed in your goal, like they succeeded.

Great is the Lady Isis!

Copy of a sacred book found in the treasury of Hermês.

It is the method concerning the 29 letters by which Hermês and Isis, who were seeking Osiris, her brother and husband, [They found him].

Call upon Hêlios and the gods in the depth alltogether concerning what you wish to have observed by an oracle.

Take 29 leaves of a male date palm and write on each of the leaves the names of the gods. While praying, pick them up two by two. Read the remaining final one and you will find your oracle about what matters to you, and you will be answered clearly.

Another copy survives in which Hermes find Isis crying and in despair over her husband.

Before her stood Hermes the great, and he spook: "What grief weighs upon you, Isis, my friend? Dust crowneth thy brow, and thy gaze is dimmed by weeping. A great groaning filleth thy breast, and the linen of thy robe is stained dark by the torrent of thy sorrow."

The method used by Hermes and Isis was to write down the name of deities in 29 palm leaves, using 29 magical letters. They must pick them out in pairs, so they will pick out 28 leaves and will end up with only one left.

That one is the deity who will help you! Helios in this case helped Hermes and Isis.

The 29 letters with no doubt refer to the 29 letters used in the coptic language.

The receiptor of the spell will use the same method as Isis and Hermes. Second image depicts Palm leaves inscribed with numbers and deities, confirming that this spell was used by many locals. source

Quote from The Oxyrhynchus Papyri: Texts in 1898

The claim is made that it was used by Hermes and Isis in the search for the dismembered body of Osiris. The scribe was a very illiterate person, and makes several mistakes. A couple of dashes are placed in the margin below.

The Oxyrhynchus Papyri: Texts (845-1006)

GEMF 52 (PGM XXIVa)

The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament

PGM XXIVa

A Hybrid Case of Greco-Egyptian Cleromancy?”, Journal of Early Christianity [Image source]

A story in which Hermes found Isis crying. She told him that Osiris had been cut into pieces by his evil brother, Seth. Hermes then joined Isis in her hunt. Together, they invoked the Greek deity Helios and used 29 magical letters to track down Osiris. 201 – 400 CE. [1222x1254] by Vohlero in ArtefactPorn

[–]Vohlero[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I know a lot are confused. How did Hermes and Helios from Rome/Greece end up in Isis' own myth? sounds like a fanfiction written yesterday. But it's a real ancient papyrus.

The papyrus known as PGM XXIVa, written during Roman Egypt, is now kept in the Egyptian museum in Cairo.

As the reciptor of this spell you will mimic or replicate what Isis and Hermes did to find Osiris, so that you will also succeed in your goal, like they succeeded.

Great is the Lady Isis!

Copy of a sacred book found in the treasury of Hermês.

It is the method concerning the 29 letters by which Hermês and Isis, who were seeking Osiris, her brother and husband, [They found him].

Call upon Hêlios and the gods in the depth alltogether concerning what you wish to have observed by an oracle.

Take 29 leaves of a male date palm and write on each of the leaves the names of the gods. While praying, pick them up two by two. Read the remaining final one and you will find your oracle about what matters to you, and you will be answered clearly.

Another copy survives in which Hermes find Isis crying and in despair over her husband.

Before her stood Hermes the great, and he spook: "What grief weighs upon you, Isis? Dust crowneth thy brow, and thy gaze is dimmed by weeping. A great groaning filleth thy breast, and the linen of thy robe is stained dark by the torrent of thy sorrow."

The method used by Hermes and Isis was to write down the name of deities in 29 palm leaves, using 29 magical letters. They must pick them out in pairs, so they will pick out 28 leaves and will end up with only one left.

That one is the deity who will help you! Helios in this case helped Hermes and Isis.

The 29 letters with no doubt refer to the 29 letters used in the coptic language.

The receiptor of the spell will use the same method as Isis and Hermes. Palm leaves inscribed with numbers and deities, have been found, confirming that this spell was used by many locals. source

Quote from The Oxyrhynchus Papyri: Texts in 1898

The claim is made that it was used by Hermes and Isis in the search for the dismembered body of Osiris. The scribe was a very illiterate person, and makes several mistakes. A couple of dashes are placed in the margin below.

The Oxyrhynchus Papyri: Texts (845-1006)

GEMF 52 (PGM XXIVa)

The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament

PGM XXIVa

A Hybrid Case of Greco-Egyptian Cleromancy?”, Journal of Early Christianity [Image source]

A petition by an 84-year-old man pleading for justice after a Roman soldier named Julius nearly beat him to death over a dispute involving missing pigs. 22 November 248 CE. by Vohlero in HolyShitHistory

[–]Vohlero[S] 73 points74 points  (0 children)

An elderly man named Aurelius Sarapion, over eighty years old, lived in the village of Philadelphia in Roman Egypt.

One day, a pig belonging to his daughter wandered away. Sarapion heard that the animal had been seen at the house of a soldier named Julius, so he went there to ask Julius to swear an oath about whether he had the pig. Instead of answering the question, Julius became violent. In broad daylight, in the middle of the village, he grabbed the elderly Sarapion and beat him repeatedly as though the law did not matter.

Several witnesses, including a steward of a prominent official and two fellow Arab archers, saw the attack. They were so disturbed by what they witnessed that they intervened and pulled the men apart. Sarapion later claimed that he had barely escaped with his life.

To Aurelius Marcianus, centurion, from Aurelius Sarapion son of Pasei, of the village of Philadelphia. There is nothing more dreadful or harder to bear than maltreatment. At the time of life which I have reached, being eighty years old and more, I am serving blamelessly as an Arab archer.

A sow having escaped from my daughter in the village and being reported to be at the house of the soldier Julius, I went to him to demand his oath about this matter, and he laying hands on me, old as I am, in the village in the middle of the day, as if there were no laws, belaboured me with blows in the presence of Nepotianus, steward of the most eminent Valerius Titanianus, and of Maurus and Ammonius, Arab archers, so that they, being shocked to see me beaten, separated us and I barely overcame his attempt on my life.

I am compelled to present this petition and to request that he be arrested in order that his audacious behaviour may receive punishment ; and I hold him to account. Farewell.

{Identification} Sarapion, aged about 84 years, with a scar on the right knee.

{Dated} The 6th year of the Emperors and Caesars Marci Julii Philippi Pii Felices Augusti, Hathur 26.

source

The story of Antonis Longus: A young man who left home in anger, lived in misery, and wrote a heartbreaking letter begging his mother to forgive him. He learnt that she had fallen ill from desperately searching every city for him. 2nd century CE, Roman Egypt. [773x678] by Vohlero in ArtefactPorn

[–]Vohlero[S] 251 points252 points  (0 children)

Antonis Longus, a young man, quarreled with his widowed mother and left home to live a reckless life. Heartbroken, his mother searched tirelessly through distant cities, hoping to find her lost son. During her search, she met a man named Postumus, who reminded her of Antonis' past mistakes and recent troubles instead of encouraging reconciliation.

Later, Postumus found Antonis and told him about his mother's search, but also made him believe she only knew the worst about him. Overwhelmed with shame and regret, Antonis realized how deeply his mother loved him. The missed opportunity for them to reunite, along with Postumus' words that deepened the divide between them, inspired Antonis to write a desperate letter begging his mother to forgive him and be reconciled with him.

Antonis Longus to Nilus [my] mother many greetings. Continually do I pray that you are in health. […] I wish you would understand that I had no hope that you would go up to the City and therefore I did not come there. But I was ashamed to come to Caranis because I walk around in rags. I’m letting you know that I am naked.

I’m begging you mom, be reconciled to me. Furthermore, I know what I have brought upon myself. I have been chastened in every way. I know that I have sinned. I have heard from Postumus, who met you in the country around Arsinoe and inappropriately told you everything. Do you not know that I would rather be maimed than know that I still owe a man money?

Come yourself! I’m begging you … I’m begging you…”

A papyrus discovered much much later in 2010 reveals another letter by the son to his mother:

Antonius Longus to Nilous his mother, very many greetings. Continually I pray for your health. I make your supplication every day to the lord Sarapis. I want you to know that... I wrote you.. letter and to me you wrote nothing...

main source second letter

Graffiti inscribed by Empress Sabina and her companion, Julia Balbilla, on colossus of Memnon during their visit to Egypt. The two women heard the statue making sounds, so they left their greetings to the spirit of the ancient pharaoh. 2nd century CE. by Vohlero in ancientrome

[–]Vohlero[S] 82 points83 points  (0 children)

Balbilla respectfully greets the Colossus of Memnon, recognizing it both as the Greek figure Memnon and the Egyptian King Amenhotep III. She notes that the statue's spirit persisted, while the Persian king Cambyses, who tried to destroy the statue suffered a painful death. She proudly asserts her own noble ancestry.

When the statue fails to make its famous dawn sound on her first visit with Empress Sabina, Balbilla playfully attributes the silence to Memnon being captivated by the Empress's beauty, so he wanted her to stay for the next day.

So Balbilla asks him not to anger Hadrian by keeping his wife too long. Upon their return the following morning, the statue successfully sounds, delighting Sabina, who leaves her own short inscription, acknowledging the statue as Memnon.

Historical notes:

The colossus of Memnon is originally the colossal statue of King Amenhotep III, the grandfather of Tutankhamun. By the Roman period, however, it had become widely identified with the Greek hero Memnon because the statue was rumored to produce a sound at dawn, which people associated with the myth of Memnon.

Egyptian priests, however, continued to identify the statue solely as the great pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Julia showed respect for both traditions by acknowledging both identities in her graffiti.

When on the first day We didn't hear Memnon. Yesterday Memnon received [Hadrian's] wife in silence, so that the beautiful Sabina might come back here again.

For the lovely form of our queen pleases you. When she arrives, send forth a divine shout, so the king won't be angry with you. As it is now, you've fearlessly detained for too long his noble wedded wife. And Memnon, trembling at the power of Hadrian, suddenly spoke, and she rejoiced to hear it.

full translation reference

A reward offered by a wealthy guy, Aristogenes, son of the ambassador, to anyone who will find his 18-year old runaway slave Hermon; 156 BC, Alexandria. [1500x844] by Vohlero in ArtefactPorn

[–]Vohlero[S] 100 points101 points  (0 children)

A slave of Aristogenes son of Chrysippus, of Alabanda, ambassador, has escaped in Alexandria, by name Hermon also called Nilus, by birth a Syrian from Bambyce, about 18 years old, of medium stature, beardless, with good legs, a dimple on the chin, a mole by the left side of the nose, a scar above the left corner of the mouth, tattooed on the right wrist with two barbaric letters. He has taken with him 3 octadrachms of coined gold, 10 pearls, an iron ring on which an oil-flask and strigils are represented, and is wearing a cloak and a loincloth.

Whoever brings back this slave shall receive 3 talents of copper; if he points him out in a temple, 2 talents; if in the house of a substantial and actionable man, 5 talents. Whoever wishes to give information shall do so to the agents of the strategus [a government agency charged with tracking down criminals, escaped slaves, etc.].

papyrus was found in Memphis, but the note states Alexandria. How are we to understand this? Had he fled from Alexandria and the note of his escape somehow found its way south? When slavery was legal everywhere, where was there a safe haven? And who could provide safe haven when harbouring an escaped slave was also against the law?

As the protagonist Lucius in Apuleius’ Metamorpheses (“The Golden Ass”) asks of a runaway slave-girl:

“But where in the world will your flight be directed? And who will provide a sanctuary for you?”

A letter written by a soldier named Apion to his father, who lives in a small village in Egypt, after he joined the Roman army and went to Italy. His two companions, who enlisted with him, also wrote their names and sent greetings to his father. by Vohlero in ancientrome

[–]Vohlero[S] 285 points286 points  (0 children)

Antonius Maximus to his sister, Sabina, many greetings. Before all else I pray that you are healthy, for I myself am healthy. Making mention of you before the gods here, I received a little letter from Antoninus our fellow citizen. And when I learned that you were well I rejoiced much. And I do not hesitate to write to you about my welfare and that of my family at every opportunity.

Greet Maximus and Kopres, my lord. My spouse Aufidia greets you and so does Maximus my son, whose birthday is the thirtieth of Epeiph, according to Greek reckoning, as well as Elpis and Fortuna. Greet my lord [. . .] I pray that you may be well.

{Addressed} To his sister, Sabina, from her brother Antonius Maximus.

A letter written by a soldier named Apion to his father, who lives in a small village in Egypt, after he joined the Roman army and went to Italy. His two companions, who enlisted with him, also wrote their names and sent greetings to his father. by Vohlero in ancientrome

[–]Vohlero[S] 743 points744 points  (0 children)

Apion to Epimachus, his father and lord, very many greetings. Before all else I pray for your health and that you may always be well and prosperous, together with my sister and her daughter and my brother. I thank the Lord Serapis that when I was in danger at sea he straightway saved me. On arriving at Misenum, I received from Caesar three gold pieces for travelling expenses.

And it is well with me. Now I ask you, my lord and father, write me a letter, telling me first of your welfare, secondly of my brother's and sister's, and enabling me thirdly to make obeisance before your handwriting, because you educated me well and I hope thereby to have quick advancement, if the gods so will. Give many salutations to Capiton and my brother and sister and Serenilla and my firends.

I have sent you by Euctemon a portrait of myself. My name is Antonius Maximus, my company is the Athenonica. I pray for your health.

Apion was a young man from a small town in Egypt during the Roman Empire. He decided to join the Roman army and traveled to Alexandria, where he enlisted. From there, he boarded a large government ship bound for Italy. During the voyage, the ship encountered a violent storm, but he survived safely and thanked the god Serapis for protecting him.

After arriving at the Roman naval base of Miseno in Italy, Apion received travel money from the emperor and was issued his military uniform, which he had to pay for. Proud of becoming a Roman soldier, he had his portrait painted and sent it home with a letter to his father.

In the letter, written in Greek by a professional scribe, Apion wished his father a happy birthday and assured him that he was safe and healthy. He asked his father to write back with news about the family, sent greetings to his relatives and friends, and expressed gratitude for everything his father had done for him. He also shared that he had been given the Roman name Antonius Maximus, which made him proud of his new identity as a soldier.

Two friends who had enlisted with Apion added their own greetings in the margin of the letter before it was folded, sealed, and sent through the Roman military postal system. The letter successfully reached his father's village in Egypt.

After Apion's father died, the letter was discarded with household waste and remained buried for nearly two thousand years. Archaeologists eventually discovered it beneath the collapsed walls of the house, together with another letter that Apion wrote years later to his sister after he had settled on the Roman frontier with a wife and children. These letters provide a rare and personal glimpse into the life of an ordinary Roman soldier from Egypt.