English translation

Translation by: Charlotte Roueché

(a): . . . ] Phamenoth 14 [. . .] 15 [. . .] Pharmouthi 16 [. . .] 17 [. . .] Pachon 18 [. . .] 19 [. . .] Payni 20 [. . .] 21 [. . . Epiphi ] 22 [. . .] 23 [. . .

(b): . . . ] 17th, until the 6th hour, 30[. . .]; 18th until . * ?[. . .]; 20th until the 10th hour, 3[. . .]. If anyone of the [. . .], private reason a fast [. . .] for each month [. . .] for thousand-named Isis [. . .] Agathos Daimon, priest [. . .]

Commentary

Fragment a provides a list of dates, apparently periods of time; the months are the first five months of the second semester of the Egyptian year. In fragment b there seems to be reference to periods of time within the day; Ω, with a superscript Ρ apparently for ὥ(ρα). The figures at the beginning of b 1-2 must represent days of the month and are followed in each case by a formula indicating a period of time; the symbols thereafter, probably figures, presumably refer to what must or must not be done during that period

Line b 2: the time limit expressed in hours is replaced by the sign *, apparently between dots (although the second one is oddly placed), which are probably interpuncts. It is unlikely to have the common sense of denarius, or Χοῖνιξ as probably in a graffito at Dura (Excavations at Dura-Europos II (Yale, 1931) 147); it seems better to see this as an astral symbol.

Line b 5: The word used for a fast is one connected with the Cyrenean cult of Isis by Herodotus, IV.186 (at Perseus). For fasts among worshippers of Isis, see Apuleius Metam.XI.23. Ferri, Studi e Materiali di Storia delle Religioni III (1927) 233 ff. argued that there was evidence for local features in the cult objects found in the Iseum beside the Acropolis.

Line b 8: perhaps to be identified with the priest of the same name in GVCyr041, line 2, dated in 102/103 CE

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