Based on this and what he sees as deference to legislation against forgery enforced
at the beginning of the 4th c., Halleux dates P. Holmiensis and P. Leidensis X to the reign of
Constantine (306–337), which would make them roughly contemporary with Z
P and the supposed burning of Egyptian alchemical books by the emperor
Diocletian ( John of Antioch fr.165 [FHG 4.601], Souda Delta-1156 and Khi-280). Recipe 2,
at least, is attributed to -D and a certain Anaxilaos ( perhaps A-
L) is cited as the source of this attribution.
The recipes preserved in P. Holmiensis are purely practical in nature containing none of
the theoretical passages, elaborate decknamen or mystical references found in the Greek
alchemical corpus. However, a reference to the ke ̄rotakis device (recipe 31), associated in the
Greek alchemical corpus with M, provides a link with the wider alchemical tradition.
Ed.: Halleux (1981) 110–151.
Bink Hallum
Papyrus Iandanae 85 (75 – 125 CE)
Two fragmentary alchemical recipes preserved on a single folio of a papyrus roll or perhaps
codex of unknown provenance. Similarities with P. H indicate that both recipes
address imparting a red tincture; the second perhaps for coloring stones.
Ed.: Halleux (1981) 158–160.
Bink Hallum
Papyrus Johnson (Antinoensis) (350 – 400 CE)
Fragment of an illustrated herbal, describing sumphuton and phlommos, which are synonyms
of helenion (elecampane), according to D 1.28.
Pack #2095.
PTK
Papyrus Laur. Inv. 68 (400 – 500 CE)
Fragment of a toxicology on the lepus marinus (sea hare, an Aplysia sp.) and antidotes thereto,
similar to A P., in G Antid. 2.7 (14.139 K.): human, cow, or goat
milk, or pennyroyal in must, or cyclamen root in wine, or mallows; P 20.223 mentions
mallows (9.155 describes the animal), and S L 186 milks and mallows.
I. Andorlini, “Una trattazione ‘sui veneni e sugli antidoti’ (PL 68),” Analecta Papyrologica 3 (1991)
85 – 101.
PTK
Papyrus Leidensis V (300 – 350 CE)
A bilingual magical miscellany (P. Leid. V = PGM XII) of unknown provenance containing
inter alia a single alchemical recipe. The section wherein the recipe is found dates to ca
300 – 350 CE and its appearance in this context demonstrates the early association of
alchemy and magic. The recipe, for the rusting (io ̄sis) of gold, calls for the application of
chlorides and sulfurous compounds to a leaf of gold. Halleux believes that these ingredients
PAPYRUS LEIDENSIS V