E02625: Coptic text, probably an oracle question, of unknown Egyptian provenance, but possibly from Hermopolis (Middle Egypt), addressing *Leontios (possibly the martyr of Tripolis, Phoenicia, S00216), concerning safe labour and childbirth, datable to the 7th century.

P.Ryl.Copt. 100

This oracle question appears to concern a worry over still birth. The question seems to be whether it would be better to stay put at home or go somewhere to seek additional or perhaps even professional help.

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+ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲫⲁⲅⲓⲟ[ⲥ] ⲗⲉⲟⲛⲧⲛ ⲉⲓϣⲁⲛϭⲱ ϩⲓ ⲡⲓⲏⲓ ⲉⲓϩⲓⲱⲱϥ ⲧⲁϭⲱ ⲛϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̣ⲛ ⲧ[ⲁ]ⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲡⲁϩⲏ̣ⲧ̣ ⲛⲁⲙⲧⲟⲛ ⲧⲁⲕⲁ ϣⲏⲣⲉ
ⲛⲱⲛϩ ⲛⲁⲛ̣ⲥ̣ ⲛ̣ϥⲣ ⲟⲩⲛ̣ [.]ⲛⲁϩⲉ ⲥ̣ . ⲕ̣

‘If I remain in the house where I am and stay within, with my mother, my mind shall be at rest and I shall bear (?) a living child.’
(The rest obscure).

(Text and trans.: W. E. Crum)


‘God, of St. Leontios!
If I stay at this house where I am and remain inside with [my] mother, my heart will be at rest and I shall bear a living child. …… (two more lines)’

(Trans.: R. Smith)

Transcription from image:
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+ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲫⲁⲅⲓⲟ[ⲥ]
ⲗⲉⲟⲛⲧⲛ ⲉⲓϣⲁⲛϭⲱ
ϩⲓ ⲡⲓⲏⲓ ⲉⲓϩⲓⲱⲱϥ
ⲧⲁϭⲱ ⲛϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̣ⲛ ⲧ[ⲁ]-
ⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲡⲁϩⲏ̣ⲧ̣ ⲛⲁ-
ⲙⲧⲟⲛ ⲧⲁⲕⲁ̣ ϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ-
ⲱⲛϩ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲁ̣ⲛⲓ ⲣⲟⲩⲛ
ⲛⲁ ϩⲉ ⲉ̣ϣ̣ϫ̣ⲉ̣ . . . .
 – – – – – – – – – – –

‘God of saint Leonten, if I remain in this house in which I am and remain therein with [my] mother, my mind will be at ease and I will get a living child for us. Bring (and) have mercy. Indeed, if …'

(Text: and trans.: G. Schenke)