Latin papyrus text fragment to auction for $18,500?

A 2000-year-old fragment of Latin text on papyrus is expected to auction for £8,000-12,000 ($12,492-18,739).

Dating to around the first century BC to first century AD, it comes to Dreweatts & Bloomsbury in London on July 8. 

Latin fragment Dreweatts
Egyptian texts are rarely written in Latin

The lot originates in ancient Egypt and is particularly rare. While Greek and Coptic were common, Latin was barely ever used.

The auction house comments: "The discovery of any text on papyrus entirely in Latin is a sensation…

"This fragment was most probably written during the lifetimes of Julius Caesar, Cicero and Seneca the Younger, and as such, even in the condition it is in, it is a noble relic of the Ancient World and the glory that was Rome."

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about books and manuscripts auctions.

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock