Select Papyri, Volume I: Private Documents

by Arthur Surridge Hunt, C.C. Edgar (Translator)

This is the first of two volumes giving a selection of Greek papyri relating to private and public business. They cover a period from before 300 BCE to the eighth century CE. Most were found in rubbish heaps or remains of ancient houses or in tombs in Egypt. From such papyri we get much information about administration and social and economic conditions in Egypt, and about native Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine law, as well as glimpses of ordinary life.

This volume contains: Agreements, 71 examples; these concern marriage, divorce, adoption, apprenticeship, sales, leases, employment of labourers. Receipts, 10. Wills, 6. Deed of disownment. Personal letters from men and women, young and old, 82. Memoranda, 2. Invitations, 5. Orders for payment, 2. Agenda, 2. Accounts and inventories, 12. Questions of oracles, 3. Christian prayers, 2. A Gnostic charm. Horoscopes, 2.

The three-volume Loeb Classical Library edition of Select Papyri also includes a volume of poetry.

480 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 1932

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

199. FROM KEITH TO THE USERS OF GOODREADS
2023 A.D.
Keith to the users of Goodreads, I salute you. I hope you are well, those of you who read my review. This nifty little book contains 198 passages of Greek-language papyri, mostly from the Greco-Egyptian city of Oxyrhynchus. Most of the book consists of contracts (boring) and letters (fairly interesting), but they have other addenda such as memoranda, agendas, and inventories. They have a rich and storied history, with letters dating to ~250 B.C. and letters written as late as the 6th century A.D. Some letters are filled with emotion and poignancy, and they provide a glimpse into the life of the average (literate) Greco-Egyptian, many of whom are named either Zenon or Demetria. I am off to read my next book. Goodbye.
Written on Choiak 12.