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This is the last of this series about the ancient documents found in the trash heaps of the little town known as Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. If you are interested in reading the book yourself, it will be available at the Union County Library all through the month of October. Sorry, you won't be able to check it out, but it will be available for in-library reading. The topic this time is ancient letters. 256 B.C. WOOD FOR A RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL "Apollonius to Zenon greeting. From the dry wood put on board a boat as many of the thickest logs as possible and send them immediately to Alexandria that we may be able to use them for the festival of Isis. Goodbye" 168 B.C. FROM ISIAS TO HEPHAESTION "...for the news that you are well I straightway thanked the gods, but about your not coming home, when all the others who had been secluded there have come, I am ill-pleased, because after having piloted myself and your children through such bad times and been driven to every extremity owing to the price of corn I thought that now a least, with you at home, I should enjoy some respite, whereas you have not even thought of coming home nor given any regard to our circumstances, remembering how I was in want of everything while you were still here, not to mention this long lapse of time and these critical days, during which you send us nothing. I am thoroughly ill-pleased. Notwithstanding, as you mother is also annoyed..." 1 B.C. FROM HILARION TO ALIS "Know that we are still in Alexandria.....I beg and entreat you, take care of the little one, and as soon as we receive our pay I will send it up to you. If by chance you bear a child, if it is a boy, let it be, if it is a girl, cast it out." Note: This is a clear example of the pagan disregard for human life. Killing of female babies was not unusual. Late 1st Century A.D. "Regarding Lampon the mouse-catcher, I paid him on your account eight drachmae as earnest money to catch mice in Toka." Note: It was customary to destroy the mice in the vineyards when the grapes were ripening. 2nd or 3rd Century A.D. TO A SCHOOLBOY FROM HIS MOTHER "I took care to send and inquire about your health and to learn what you were reading." Early 3rd Century A.D. FROM A SCHOOLBOY TO HIS FATHER "To my lord and father Arion from Thonis greeting....Look you, this is my fifth letter to you, and you have not written to me except only once, not even a word about your welfare, nor come to see me; though you promised me saying 'I am coming,' you have not come to find out whether the teacher is looking after me or not....Goodbye, my lord and father, and may you prosper, as I pray, for many years along with my brothers who may the evil eye harm not. p.s. Remember our pigeons." 3rd Century A.D. FROM APION TO DIDYMUS "The instant you receive this letter of mine put off everything and come to me, for your sister is ill. And when you come, bring the white tunic of hers which is with you. Do not bring the turquoise one, but it you wish to sell it, sell it, or if you wish to let your daughter have it, do so. These excerpts can be found in the book Select Papyri I,
Translated by A.S. Hunt and C.C. Edgar and published by Harvard
University Press. Blessings in your study of God's Word! Marvin Hunt There is never a charge for my articles, and if you have a good reason, there is no limit to how many you may request. However, if you find them valuable you may want to order my latest book, History, Mystery and Facts About the Bible. Order at 1-800-845-7618 (ext. 301). You may also order from Amazon.com. Proceeds from the book go to support this ministry. Blessings! Http://www.biblehistory.com p.s. A new column is posted weekly. Be sure and bookmark the site or put it on your favorites list. |