Private Letter

Private Letter

Published as number 108 in P.WashU.II;
1 papyrus fragment 17 x 14;
http://library.wustl.edu/units/spec/manuscripts/throop.html;
Imaging and cataloging sponsored through APIS III, an NEH funded project.;
Scope note: A private letter written by a man to his mistress or wife. This is perhaps one of the only true 'love letters' found in the papyri.

PW 108 – Inv 149
Recto:
[I pray to the] all-merciful God, that you [receive] in good health my salutation
transmitted by letter. [God] knows [that I - - - ] Oxyrhynchos by day and night [seeing]
you in dreams. [I beseech you], send me a letter [soon], [for] the fire [of my love and
desire consumes] my heart. Aphrodite [burns me] with torches, [Eros] was delighted (?)
having taken (?) but one arrow [ - - - ] seeking your so lovely face [ - - - ] that from
Oxyrhynchos up to Herakleopolis two [ - - - ] - - - seeking your right breast. [For pain]
tormented [me] - - - , not as a result of weakness, ]but] because my love for you. Much
[ - - - ] to (?) your mother [ - - - - - - ]
Verso:
[I greet - - - ] your brother - - - , your mother (?) [ ] and everybody with you.