PREFACE

THE great majority of the papyri published in the following pages, including the chief literary pieces, were discovered in the season of 1905-6; a few come from the finds of the years 1903 and 1904, and one or two in the non-literary section from those of 1897.

In editing these texts I have unhappily lacked the co-operation of the friend and colleague with whom I have worked in partnership since the foundation of the Graeco-Roman Branch. The effects of his absence are, I fear, likely to be apparent to the readers of this book not only in its somewhat reduced size, which on the present occasion corresponds with our advertised intentions more closely than has frequently been the case. In particular, the principal novelty here produced, the Callimachus papyrus (1011), happens to abound in problems for the solution of which a second pair of eyes would have been more than usually valuable. In these circumstances it is a matter for much satisfaction that I have again been able to obtain the generous assistance of Professor U. von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff, who has made important contributions to the reconstruction and interpretation of the new classical fragments (1011-1015), especially of 1011. For some further helpful suggestions on the last-named text I am indebted to Professor Gilbert Murray; while Professor U. Wilcken has very kindly looked through the proofsheets of the non-literary documents, and they have naturally profited not a little from his criticism.

I regret that the promised excursus on the excavations and topography of Oxyrhynchus has had to be postponed, and that I cannot undertake that it will be included in the volume for 1910, which will consist of another instalment of the Oxyrhynchus Papyri. But a plan of the site has been prepared, and I hope that its appearance will not be much longer delayed.

ARTHUR S. HUNT.

QUEEN'S COLLEGE, OXFORD,
DECEMBER, 1909.