Irene Εἰρήνη
writer of a letter of comfort · Oxyrhynchus, Roman Egypt · 2nd century
A woman of Oxyrhynchus. She sent a short letter of comfort to Taonnophris and Philo, who had lost one of their family. She had herself wept for someone named Didymas.
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2nd century · A letter of condolence to Taonnophris and Philo, who had lost one of their family. Apart from the greeting and the date, this is the whole letter.
I was as grieved, and wept as much, over the one who is gone as I wept over Didymas. I did everything that was fitting, and so did all my household, Epaphroditus and Thermouthion and Philion and Apollonius and Plantas. But still, there is nothing anyone can do in the face of such things. So comfort one another.
οὕτως ἐλυπήθην καὶ ἔκλαυσα ἐπὶ τῶι εὐμοίρωι ὡς ἐπὶ Διδυμᾶτος ἔκλαυσα, καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἦν καθήκοντα ἐποίησα καὶ πάντες οἱ ἐμοί, Ἐπαφρόδειτος καὶ Θερμούθιον καὶ Φίλιον καὶ Ἀπολλώνιος καὶ Πλαντᾶς. ἀλλʼ ὅμως οὐδὲν δύναταί τις πρὸς τὰ τοιαῦτα. παρηγορεῖτε οὖν ἑαυτούς.
Oxyrhynchus Papyri I 115 (P.Oxy. I 115)
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