Introduction
Fragment from Nicander's Theriaca (Oxford, Sackler Library, Papyrology Rooms P. Oxy. 3851). Papyrus fragment from a roll (7x7,5cm) with blank verso. There are few lectional signs and two variants (cf. l. 4 and 12) probably written by the first scribe, whereas a second scribe (m2) made an addition in l. 6 and a third one (m3) corrected the verbal form in l. 7. The recto contains parts of Nik. Ther. 333-344 which deals with a description of the dipsas-snake and the symptoms of her bite being illustrated by similes. The text is written in an elegant upright ornamented hand and therefore may be assigned to the second century AD. ε,θ,ο and σ have a tall and narrow appearance; furthermore, θ and ο tend to have a pear shape. These characteristics in scripture might be compared to e.g. P.Oxy 33 2663.
(This papyrus has been digitally edited by Marcel Moser as part of the Project "DIGMEDTEXT - Online Humanities Scholarship: A Digital Medical Library based on Ancient Texts" (ERC-AdG-2013, Grant Agreement no. 339828) funded by the European Research Council at the University of Parma (Principal Investigator: Prof. Isabella Andorlini). The digital edition is mostly based on the previous edition (P.J. Parsons, P.Oxy. LVI 3851).)
DCLP transcription: 61917 [xml]
1[ -ca.?- ]σ̣ε ̣ ̣ ̣[ -ca.?- ]
[ -ca.?- ὁμ]ώσε[ται -ca.?- ]
[ -ca.?- θο]ώ̣τερο[ς ἵξ]ε̣ται α̣[ἶσα]
[ -ca.?- ] ̣[ -ca.?- ] ̣ ̣ ̣κος̣ ἤτοι̣[ -ca.?- ]
5[ -ca.?- ]α̣ μελα̣ί̣ν̣[ε]ται ἀκρ̣ό(*)θε[ν -ca.?- ]
[ -ca.?- ἐμ]φλέγεται κρα[ ̣] (hand 3?) ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ (hand 1) π̣ρόπα[ν -ca.?- ]
[ -ca.?- ἀζαλ]έης (hand 2?) ⟦ε⟧ (hand 1) α(*)ὐα(*)ίνεται ἄβρ̣οχα δίψ[ης]
[ -ca.?- τ]αῦρ[ο]ς ὑπὲρ ποτα̣μ̣ο̣ῖ̣ο̣ νε̣[νευκὼς]
[ -ca.?- ἀμέτρη]τον δέχεται ποτὸν, εἰ̣[σόκε -ca.?- ]
10[ -ca.?- ] ̣ ε· ˙ χέηι δ’ ὑ(*)περα(*)χθέα φ[όρτον]
[ -ca.?- ] ̣ [ -ca.?- ] ἐν αἰζηοῖσι̣ φορ̣εῖτα̣[ι]
[ -ca.?- ] ἔσχε Κρόνου πρεσβίστατ̣[ον](*) [ -ca.?- ]
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Editorial History; All History; (detailed)
© Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri.
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Notes
- 4.
Above the eta further traces can be found which might indicate a smooth breathing and part of a following acute accent, but it's more probable that they are traces of two suprascript letters. The scribe might have set them off with dots like in l. 12 of which the right one can still be seen. Therefore, Parsons suggested to restore a suprascript [·] ε̣ι̣ · .
- 5.
The major part of the MSS convey ἄκροθεν, thereby writing an anomalous accentuation, whereas the papyrus has the regular accent on omicron.
- 6.
Most MSS transmit κραδίη, while Π shows -ίηι and R -ίην. After Alpha, there is an area where the upper layer of a kollesis has been stripped, leaving the horizontal fibres of the under-layer exposed. It is there, that remains of four letters in a different hand (m2) which is small and crude can be found. The first three might be read α̣θ̣ο̣, while the fourth trace is part of an upright, which continues at the foot with a heavy curve to the right; this curve, however, seems to be on the original surface and by the original hand. Alll in all, this writing might have been seepage from the original writing or a very crude attempt at inking the missing letters.
- 7.
The rough breathing that is preserved in the papyrus is Attic (cf. Eustath. 1304. 3 ff.).
- 12.
Most of the MSS transmit πρεσβίστατον, while only Kv has πρεσβύστατον. In fact, the papyrus has both versions: πρεσβίστατον is written as the normal text, while the other form is indicated by a suprascript ·υ· set off by dots.