Libellus of the Decian PersecutionAurelia Bellias daughter of PeteresAPISmichigan.apis.1608(MiU)1608p.mich.3.1580163;3;158p.mich;3;1581197811978P.Mich.inv. 263Certificate, signed by two official witnesses, proving that Aurelia Bellias has participated to a sacrifice to the traditional gods, as ordered by an edict of the emperor Decius. This was considered as a proof of loyalty to the government, and the Christians who refused to do this were persecutedLocation: Ann ArborPub. status: Recto; Verso is blankGreek1 papyrus ; 21.5 x 8.1 cmComplete22Source of description: RectoJune 21, 250 A.D.probably Theadelphia, Themistou meris, Arsinoite nome, province of EgyptAurelia Bellias daughter of Peteres(Aurelia) Kapinis daughter of BelliasAurelius Serenus, ho epi ton thysion for TheadelphiaAurelius Hermas, ho epi thysion for Theadelphia (& komarches?) (see D. Rathbone, Economic Rationalism... p. 20, n. 25)Traianus Decius, Emperor
Theadelphia, Themistou meris, Arsinoite nome, province of Egypt
APIS keywords are controlled locally at the institution level. They are not necessarily consistent.EnglishGreekTheadelphiaPersecution--History--Early church, ca. 30-600.Persecution--Egypt--Kharabat Ihrit.DocumentaryPapyrus
To those in charge of the sacrifices of the village Theadelphia, from Aurelia Bellias, daughter of Peteres, and her daughter, Kapinis. We have always been constant in sacrificing to the gods, and now too, in your presence, in accordance with the regulations, I have poured libations and sacrificed and tasted the offerings, and I ask you to certify this for us below. May you continue to prosper.;(2nd hand) We, Aurelius Serenus and Aurelius Hermas, saw you sacrificing.;(3rd hand) I, Hermas, certify.;(1st hand) The 1st year if the Emperor Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Pius Felix Augustus, Pauni 27.
Rep Editor - PMich III; Rep Ser - Boak AER - Winter JG; 1936; pg_No 158 -- BL X, 123 (bibliography) Boak AER apud Knipfing JR, HThR 16, 386-387, 1923 -- SB III 6825 Winter JG, Life and Letters in the Papyri, 140, n. 2, 1933P.Mich.:3:158