Ἔθος,
Circumcision,
and the Egyptian Priests
Law between the Centre and the Periphery 

Handout – PDF

1. Roman Egypt: a Workshop of Legal Plurality

D. I 3.32 pr. (Iul. 84 digestorum): De quibus causis scriptis legibus non utimur, id custodiri oportet, quod moribus et consuetudine inductum est: et si qua in re hoc deficeret, tunc quod proximum et consequens ei est: si nec id quidem appareat, tunc ius, quo urbs Roma utitur, servari oportet. – for the cases in which we do not use written laws, one should observe what has been introduced by customs and tradition. And should they not exist in this matter, then (one should observe) what is close and competent to such matter; yet if neither this should be evident, then the law, which is applied in the City of Rome, should be observed. 

2. Circumcision of the Egyptian Priests

2.1 P. Tebt. II 292 (189/190 CE: Petition to allow circumcision

[Ἥρωνι] [. . . . . . ] στρα(τηγῷ) Ἀρσι(νοίτου) Θεμίστου καὶ Πολέμωνος μερίδων 

     [παρὰ Ἰσιδώρ]ας Πακήβκεως τοῦ Μαρσισούχου 

     [μη(τρὸς) . . . . . . . .]εως τ[ῆς] Μαρσισούχου ἱ̈ερείας καὶ 

4  [προφήτιδος ? . . . . . . . . . ἱ]εροῦ λογίμου τοῦ ὄντος <ἐν> κώ(μῃ) Τεπτύ(νει) 

     [διὰ . . . . . . . . .]ς Κρονίωνος ἱερέως ἀπολυσίμου καὶ 

     [σ]τ̣ο̣λ̣[ιστοῦ τοῦ] αὐτοῦ ἱ̈εροῦ. βουλομένη περιτεμεῖν 

8  υἱόν μου Πακῆβ[κ]ιν ἐκ πατρὸς Κρονί[ωνο]ς Πακήβ

     κεως τοῦ Ἁρπ[ο]κρατίωνος ἱερέως ἀπολυ[ς]ίμου καὶ δια

     δόχου προφητείας τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἱ̈εροῦ  καὶ τὸν τοῦ πρὸς 

     μητρός μου θείου μετηλλαχότος Μαρεψήμεως Μαρ

12  σισούχου ὑ̣̈[ιὸ]ν Πανῆσιν μη(τρὸς) Θενπακήβκεως θενκ̣ακηβκεως 

     τῆ̣[ς Πανήσεω]ς ὁμοίως ἱερέων τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἱεροῦ 

     παῖ̣[δας ὄντας . . . . . . . . ]...αναπ̣[. . . . . .] κ̣α̣ὶ 

     τοῦ̣ ἱ̣ε̣ρ̣[οῦ . . . . . . . . .].α̣ι καὶ [ c . . . . . . . . . . .  ]

16  ἱερέων δι' ἧς α̣υ̣τ̣η̣.[ c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ] 

     ἀξι<ῶ> κατὰ τὸ ἔθος ἐπ̣ι̣[στολὴν c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ]

     γραφῆναι ὑπὸ σοῦ τ̣[ῷ κρατίστῷ ἀρχιερεῖ ἵνα] 

     συνχωρήσαντος αὐτοῦ δυν[ηθῶσιν οἱ παῖδες] 

20  περιτμηθῆναι καὶ τὰς ἐπιβαλλο[ύσας ἱερουρ]-

     γ̣ί̣α̣ς ἐπιτελεῖν. εἰσὶ δὲ οἱ παῖδες Πακῆβκις

     Κρονίωνος τοῦ Πακήβκεως μη(τρὸς) Ἰσιδώρα[ς] τῆς Πακή̣β̣-

     κεως πρὸς τὸ λ (ἔτος) (ἐτῶν) ζ, Πανῆσις Μαρεψήμεως

24  τοῦ Μαρσισούχου μη(τρὸς) Θ[εν]πακήβκεως τῆς Πανή-

     σεως ὁμοίως πρὸς τὸ λ (ἔτος) (ἐτῶν) ι̣α̣ οὕσπερ ὁ προδεδηλ(ωμένος) μου 

     ἀνὴρ Κρονίων Πακήβκεως νυνὶ νυνει ἐν Ἀλεξανδρείᾳ

τυγχάνων προσάξαι προσαξι τῷ κρα(τίστῷ) ἀρχιερεῖ

To N.N. strategos of the divisions of Themistos and Polemon in the Arsinoite nome, from Isidora daughter of Pakebkis son of Marsisouchos, her mother being … is daughter of Marsisouchos, priestess and … of the famous temple at the village of Tebtunis, through N.N. son of Kronion, exempted priest and stolistes of the said temple. Wishing to circumcise Pakebkis, my son by Kronion son of Pakebkis son of Harpokration, exempted priest and deputy prophet of the said temple, and Panesis, the son of my late maternal uncle Marepsemis son of Marisouchos, his mother being Thenpakebkis daughter of Panesis, likewise priests of the said temple, being boys … I request that in accordance with the custom a letter should be written by you to his highness the high-priest in order that, his permission being given, the boys may be able to be circumcised and to perform the sacred offices assigned to them. The boys are Pakebkis son of Kronion son of Pakebkis, his mother being Isidora daughter of Pakebkis, aged 7 years in the 30th year, and Panesis son of Marepsemis son of Marsisouchos, his mother being Thenpakebkis daughter of Pakebkis, aged 11 years in the same 30th year; and my aforesaid husband Kronion son of Pakebkis, who now happens to be in Alexandria, will bring them before his highness the high-priest (APIS, slightly altered).

2.1 P. Tebt. II 293 (ca 187 CE): Priestly Attestation of Status in a Case of Circumcision

παρὰ Κρονίωνος Πακήβκεως τοῦ Ἁρπο-

     κρατίωνος διαδόχου προφητείας καὶ 

     Μάρωνος Κρονίωνος τοῦ Ἁρποκρατίωνο[ς] 

4  καὶ Μάρωνος Μάρωνος τοῦ Μαρεψήμεως 

     καὶ Πακήβκεως Κρονίωνος τοῦ Ψοίφεως ψυφεως 

     τῶν γ ἱερέων τῶν δ ἱεροῦ λογίμ[ο]υ ἀπο-

     λυσίμου κώμης Τεπτύνεως. πρὸς τὸ 

8  ἐπιδοθέν σοι βιβλείδιον ὑ̈πὸ Μαρεψήμε-

     ως Μαρσισούχου τοῦ Ἁρποκρατίωνος 

     ἱ̈ερέως τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἱεροῦ ἀξιοῦντος τὸν 

     υἱὸν αὐτοῦ Πανῆ̣[ς]ι̣ν̣ μητρὸς Θενπα-

12  [κήβ]κεως τῆς Πανή[ς]εως περιτμηθῆ-

     [ναι, ἐ]πιζητοῦντί σοι εἰ ἔστιν ἱ[ερα]τικοῦ 

     [γέ]νους καὶ ὀφείλει{ν} περιτμη[θῆνα]ι προς-

     φων[ο]ῦ[με]ν ὀμνύοντες τὴν Μάρκου 

16  Αὐρηλίου Κομμόδου Ἀντωνίνου Σεβαστοῦ 

     [τ]ύχην ἀληθῆ εἶναι αὐτὸν ἱερατικοῦ 

     [γέ]νους καὶ τὰς παρατεθείσας ὑπὸ αὐτο(ῦ) 

     [ἀς]φα[λ]είας εἶναι καὶ δεῖν αὐτὸν περι-

20  [τμη]θῆναι διὰ [τ]ὸ μὴ δύνασθαι τὰς ἱε-

     [ρου]ργίας ἐκτελεῖν εἰ μὴ τοῦτ[ο γενήσε]-

     [τα]ι, ἢ ἔνοχοι εἴημ[εν] τῷ ὅρκῳ. Κρονί-

     ων Πακήβκεω[ς] ὤμοσα τὸν προκεί-

24  μενον ὅρκον κ[α]θὼς πρόκειται. (2Μ) Μά-

     [ρ]ων Μάρωνος συνομώμοκα συνομομεχα ὡς 

     [π]ρόκιται. (Μ3)  Μάρων Κρονίωνος συν-

     ομώμοκα συνομομεχα ὡ[ς] πρόκειται πρωκιται. 

From Kronion, son of Pakebkis son of Harpokration, deputy prophetes, and from Maron son of Kronion son of Harpokration, and Maron son of Maron son of Marepsemis, and Pakebkis son of Kronion son of Psyphis, the three last being priests, all four from the famous exempted temple of the village Tebtunis. With regard to the application presented to you by Marepsemis son of Marsisouchos son of Harpokration, priest of the said temple, requesting that his son Panesis by Thenpakebkis daughter of Panesis should be circumcised, in reply to your inquiry whether he is of a priestly family and ought to be circumcised we declare on oath by the fortune of Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus that he is in truth of priestly family, and that the proofs submitted by him are genuine, and that he ought to be circumcised because he cannot perform the sacred offices unless this is done; otherwise may we may liable to the consequences of the oath. I, Kronion son of Pakebkis, have sworn the above oath as aforesaid. (2nd h.) I, Maron son of Maron, have also sworn, as aforesaid; (3rd h.) I, Maron son of Kronion, have also sworn, as aforesaid. (APIS)

2.3 BGU I 347 col. I (WChr. 76, 23 January 176 CE): Decision of the Archiereus Allowing Circumcision

     ἐξ ὑπομνηματισμ[ῶν] Οὐλπίου [Σε]ρη[ν]ι̣αν̣οῦ τοῦ κρα-

     τίστου ἀρχιερέως. (ἔτους) ια Αὐρηλίου Ἀντω̣νείνου

     Καίσαρος τοῦ κυρίου Τῦ̣β[ι] κη. ἐν Μέμ̣φει. ἠσπάσατο

4  τὸν λαμπρότατον ἡγ[ε]μόνα καὶ μετὰ τα[ῦτ]α̣ πρὸς τῷ

     Ἀπείῳ Πανεφρέμμ\ει/ [Σ]τ̣οτοήτιος ἀνθʼ οὗ Σατα-

     β̣οῦτος π[ρεσ]β̣υτέρο[υ] ἱε[ρέ]ως πρ[ο]σαγαγόντ[ος] υἱὸν

     [ἑαυτ]οῦ Πανεφρέμμ[ι]ν κα[ὶ ἀξι]ώσαντος ἐπιτρα-

8  πῆναι περιτεμεῖν αὐτὸν ἀ[ν]αδόντ[ο]ς [τ]ε τὴν περὶ αὐ-

     τ[ο]ῦ γραφεῖσαν ἐπι[στο]λὴν ὑ̣[πὸ Σα]ραπί[ωνο]ς̣ στρατηγοῦ

     Ἀρσ[ι]νοείτου Ἡρακ[λεί]δο[υ μερί]δος δ[ι]ὰ Ἀλεξάνδρου

     γυμνασιαρχή[σαντο]ς, [κ]εχ[ρ]ον̣ι[σ]μένην [ε]ἰς̣ τὸ διε-

12  ληλυθὸς ι (ἔτος) Φαῶφι ϛ Σερηνια[νὸς] ἐπ̣ύθετο

     τῶν παρόν[τ]ων κορυφα[ί]ων καὶ ὑ[ποκορυ]φαίων καὶ

     ἱερογραμματ̣έ̣ων, εἰ [σ]ημ̣[εῖο]ν̣ ἔ̣χοι ὁ [παῖ]ς. εἰπόντων

     ἄσημον αὐτὸν εἶναι [Οὔλπιος] Σερην[ι]α[νὸ]ς̣ ἀρχιερεὺς

16  καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ἱερῶν [σημειωσά]μ̣ενος τὴν ἐπιστ[ο]λὴν

     ἐκέλευσεν τὸν παῖ[δα περιτ]μηθῆναι [κατὰ] τὸ ἔθος. ἀνέγνω(ν).

1 From the minutes of Ulpius Serenianus, vir egregius, high-priest. 2 Year 11 of Aurelius Antoninus Caesar, the lord, Tyb[i] 28. In Memphis. 3 He saluted the prefect, vir clarissimus, and after that, as he held audience at the temple of Apis Panephremmis, son of Stotoetis also called Satabous, elder priest, having presented his own son Panephremmis and having requested that permission be given to circumcise him 8 and having submitted a letter written concerning him by [Sa]rapion, strategos of the Arsinoite nome, Herakleides division, through Alexandros, ex-gymnasiarch, dated to the past year 10 Phaophi 6, 12 Serenia[nus] enquired of the coryphaei and sub-coryphaei and keepers of the sacred records who were present, whether the boy had any blemish. 14 Upon their saying that he was without a blemish [Ulpius] Seren[i]a[nu]s, high-priest and minister for the temple administration, by appending his signature to the letter gave permission for the boy to be circumcised in accordance with the custom. 17 I have read this. (papyri.info, modified)

3. Romans on Castration and Circumcision

3.1  Ban on Castration – Digest XLVIII 8.4.2 Ulpianus libro septimo de officio proconsulis  

Idem divus Hadrianus rescripsit: ‘Constitutum quidem est, ne spadones fierent, eos autem, qui hoc crimine arguerentur, Corneliae legis poena teneri eorumque bona merito fisco meo vindicari debere, sed et in servos, qui spadones fecerint, ultimo supplicio animadvertendum esse: et qui hoc crimine tenentur, si non adfuerint, de absentibus quoque, tamquam lege Cornelia teneantur, pronuntiandum esse. Plane si ipsi, qui hanc iniuriam passi sunt, proclamaverint, audire eos praeses provinciae debet, qui virilitatem amiserunt: nemo enim liberum servumve invitum sinentemve castrare debet, neve quis se sponte castrandum praebere debet. At si quis adversus edictum meum fecerit, medico quidem, qui exciderit, capitale erit, item ipsi qui se sponte excidendum praebuit’.

The Divine Hadrian also stated the following in a Rescript: ‘It has been indeed established that eunuchs should not be made, and that the ones who are convicted of this crime are liable to the penalty of the Cornelian Law, and that their property shall with good reason be confiscated by the Fisc. But with reference to slaves who have made eunuchs, they should be punished capitally, and those who are liable to this public crime and do not appear, shall, even when absent, be sentenced under the Cornelian Law. It is clear that if persons who have suffered this offence demand justice, the Governor of the province should hear those who have lost their virility; for no one has a right to castrate a freeman or a slave, either against his consent or with it, and no one can voluntarily offer himself to be castrated. If anyone should violate my Edict, the physician who cut-off shall be punished with death, as well as anyone who willingly offered himself for cutting-off. (Scott, modified)

3.2. Circumcision as Type of Castration – D. XLVIII 8.11 pr.  – Modestinus libro sexto regularum 

Circumcidere Iudaeis filios suos tantum rescripto divi Pii permittitur: in non eiusdem religionis qui hoc fecerit, castrantis poena irrogatur. 

It is allowed to the Jews only to circumcise their children by a rescript of the Divine Pius. The one who has done it, not being of this religion is punished by penalty prescribed for the one who performs castration.

3.3 Ban on Circumcision – Pauli Sent. V 22.3. 

Cives Romani, qui se iudaico ritu vel servos suos circumcidi patiuntur, bonis ademptis in insulam perpetuo relegantur: medici capite puniuntur. 4. Iudaei si alienae nationis comparatos servos circumciderint, aut deportantur aut capite puniuntur. 

Roman citizens, who let themselves – or their slaves – be circumcised by the Jewish ritual, are perpetually deported to an island, their estates being confiscated. 4. Jews who shall circumcise purchased slaves of other nationality, shall be deported or 

executed. 

3.4.  Office of High-Priest (Re)Established: SB XII 11236 (verso), after 138 CE.

ἀντίγραφον προστάγματος. Τίτος Ἁτέριος Νέπως 

     ἔπαρχος Αἰγύπτου λέγει· ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν καὶ θεὸ[ς] 

     ἐνφανέστατος Αὐτ̣οκρά̣τωρ̣ Καῖσαρ Τραϊανὸς Ἁδριανὸς 

4  Σεβαστὸς κατασ̣τ̣ήσας, ὥσπε̣ρ̣ ἴστ̣ε, τῶν θεῶν Σεβαστῶν 

     καὶ τοῦ μεγάλου Σαρά̣[πιδος ἀ]ρχιϊερέα καὶ ἐπὶ τ[ῶ]ν 

     [κατὰ Ἀλεξάνδ]ρ̣ε̣[ιαν καὶ κατὰ Αἴγυ]πτον ἱερῶν   ̣[  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣] 

A copy of the Edict.  Titus Haterius Nepos, the prefect of Egypt proclaims: Let it be known to you, that Our Lord and God the Emperor Caesar Trajan Hadrian Augustus has established the office of the high-priest of the divine Augusti and the Great Sarapis and [superintendent] of the temples in Alexandria and in Egypt

4. Romans and the Sacred Norms of the Egyptians

4.1 So-called Gnomon of the Supervisor of the Privy Domain, Proemium & §§ 71–97

     το̣[ῦ γ]νώμο̣ν̣[ος], ὃν ὁ θεὸς Σεβαστὸς τῇ τοῦ ἰδίου λόγου 

     ἐπ̣ι̣τ̣ροπῇ [παρ]ε̣στήσατο, καὶ τῶν ὑπὸ χεῖρα αὐτῷ 

     π̣[ρ]οσγεγον̣ότ̣[ω]ν̣ ἤτοι ὑπὸ αὐτοκρατόρων ἢ συνκλή-

4  [το]υ ἢ τῶν [κατ]ὰ̣ καιρὸν ἐπάρχων ἢ ἰδίων λόγων τὰ 

     ἐν μέ[σ]ῳ [κεφ]άλαι̣α συντεμὼν ὑπέταξ[ά] σοι, ὅπως τῇ 

     τ̣[ῆς] ἀναγρ̣α̣φ̣ῆς ὀλιγομερίᾳ τὴν μνήμην ἐπιστή-

[σας] εὐ̣χερ[ῶς] τ̣ῶ̣ν πραγμάτων περικ[ρ]ατῇς. 

I have appended summarizing the most important (?) chapters of the Ordinance which Divine Augustus has established for the Supervision of the Privy Domain and of the (provisions) thereto added by his own hand, by the emperors, by the Senate and by the prefects and the supervisors of the Privy Domain, each in their time, so that aiding your memory by this digest of the copy you would have a facilitated command of the (official?) matters.

Col. VIII, ll. 180–189 (§§ 71–77) & Col. IX 201 (§ 87)

οα̣ ἱερεῦσ[ι] οὐκ ἐξὸν πρὸς ἄλ[λ]ῃ χρείᾳ εἶναι ἢ τῇ τῶν θ̣ε̣ῶ̣ν̣ [θρ]η̣σκείᾳ οὐδὲ ἐν 

     ἐρεᾷ [ἐ]σθῆτι προιναι ο[ὐ]δὲ κόμην φορεῖν ο[ὐ]δὲ ἐ̣ὰ̣ν̣ [ξε]ν̣ωθῶσιν τοῦ θ[ε]ί̣[ο]υ ψαρ̣. 

§ 71 It is not allowed to the priests to have any other gain but the one of the cult of the gods, to walk around in woolen robe, to let the hair grow, even if they are taken away from the divine Psar (procession, table?)

οβ̣ ἀσφρ̣α[γ]ί̣σ̣τους μόσχους οὐ̣κ̣ ἐξὸν θύειν· οἱ̣ δὲ π̣[α]ρ̣ὰ̣ τ̣α̣ῦ̣[τα

      θύσ]α̣ντεςκατακρίνονται(δραχμὰς(?)) φ̣

§ 72 it is not allowed to sacrifice not sealed calves. And these who sacrifice against these will be sentenced for 500 drachms 

184 ογ̣ ἱερατικ̣ὰ̣ς προσόδο[υ]ς οὐκ ἐξὸν ἐπ̣ιδανείζειν. 

§ 73 It is not allowed to loan the temple income under a second mortgage.

οδ̣ στολιστὴς καταλ̣ιπὼν τὰς θρησκείας κατεκρ[ί]θη τ̣ὰ̣ς̣ [προσό]δ̣ους καὶ     ἐπ[ί]τιμον(δραχμὰς) τ. 

§ 74 A stolistes abandoning the cult has been sentenced to (reimbursement) of the income and to a penalty of 300 drachms

    οε̣ ἱερεὺς καταλειπὼν τὰς θρησκείας κατεκρίθη (δραχμὰς) σ̣ 

     ἐρεᾷ ἐσθῆτι χρησάμενος (δραχμὰς) σ συριστὴς (δραχμὰς) ρ παστοφ̣ό̣[ρο]ς (δραχμὰς) ρ. 

§ 75 a priest abandoning the cult has been sentenced to 200 drachms; the one using woolen robe (has been sentenced) to 200 drachms. A flautist to 100 drachms; and a pastophoros to 100 drachms.

188 οϛ ἱερεὺς ἐρεᾷ ἐσθῆτι χρησάμενος καὶ κόμην φορέσας <κατεκρίθη> (δραχμὰς) Δ̣. 

§ 76 a priest using woolen robe and letting hair (grow) <has been sentenced> to 1000 drachms

 οζ αἱ ἐπὶ \δ̣[ι]α̣/δοχῇ̣ προφητεῖαι τῷ γένει φυλάσσονται.

§ 77 the hereditary prophetic (offices) are kept for the family.

  Col. IX,  l. 201  

μ̣ο̣σ̣χ̣οσφραγ̣ι̣στ̣αὶ ἐξὸν λ[ο]γ̣ί̣μω̣ν̣ ἱερῶν δοκιμάζοντ̣αι

<§ 87> the Sealers of the calves are chosen by examination from (?) primary temples.

4.2 Edict of Haterius Nepos on Priestly and Clerical Attire – P. Fouad 10 (120 CE) 

     κεφάλαιον ἐγ διατάγματο[ς Τίτου] 

     [Ἁ]τερίου Νέπωτος ἐπάρχου Α[ἰγύπτου]. 

     καὶ τοὺς παστοφόρους καὶ τοὺς ἄ[λλους] 

4  χρεακοὺς πάντας προσεδρεύ[οντας] 

     τοῖς ἱεροῖς ἕκαστον ποιεῖν τὰ[ς αὑτοῦ] 

     ὑπηρεσίας καὶ μὴ τρέπεσθα[ι πρὸς] 

     ἑτέρας χρείας καταλιπόντας τ[ -ca.?- ]  

8  μηδὲ ἐρεὰς ἐσθῆτας ἀμφιενν[ -ca.?- ]  

     πους προειέναι τοὺς προγεγρα[μμέ-]

     νους πάντας, ἀλλὰ τῇ ἱερᾷ καὶ ν[ενο-]

     μισμένῃ ἐσθῇ[τι χ]ρῆσθ[αι] κ[αὶ μὴ κα-]

     ταλύειν τῆς τῶ[ν -ca.?- ]  

12  τὰ ἔθη. 

     δ (ἔτους) Ἐπ[αγομένων.] 

A Summary (a section) from the Edict of Titus Haterius Nepos, the prefect of Egypt. Pastophoroi and other servants attend the holy (matters) and carry out all their services and do not turn to other uses forsaking … and that they do not wear clothing made of wool, and that they carry on with all that had been prescribed, but use customary and holy dress, and not destroy…   customs.  The fourth year, Additional days. 

4.3. BGU I 250  (WChr. 87 (135–136): a response to a query about sealing the calves according to the custom citing an edict of Idioslogos 

4.4 Letter of Claudius to Alexandrians: Holy Groves in Each Nome – P. Lond. VI 1912 43–45  (41 CE):                                                        

(…) εὐῆθες δʼ ἴσσως τοσαύτας |

προσ[ι]έμενον τειμὰς ἀρνήσασθαι φυλὴν Κλαυδιανὰν καταδῖξαι  

ἄλση · τε κατὰ νομὸν ⟨?νόμον?⟩  παρεῖναι τῆς Αἰγύπ<τ>ου· διόπερ καὶ ταῦτά ⟦ημι̣ν̣⟧ 

θʼ ὑμεῖν ἐπιτρέπωι, …..

It would perhaps be foolish, while accepting such great honours, to refuse the institution of a Claudian tribe and the establishment of groves in each nome {?after the manner/law} of Egypt; wherefore I grant you these requests as well

4.5 The 'Sacred Law of Semnouthi' – PSI X 1149  (= SB XVI 12531, 1st cent. CE?)

     [  ̣  ̣  ̣]των τῶν πυλῶν ἐν αὐτῶι τῶι ἱερῶι ἰδιώτας γει-

     [  ̣  ̣  ̣]  ̣αι βυσσουργούς τε καὶ ἀρτοκόπους καὶ ἕτερα εἴδη 

     [τιν]ὰ καὶ γυναικῶν· τούτων δὲ τὴν παραφυλακὴν 

4  [  ̣  ̣]  ̣εναι πρὸς ἑαυτούς. vac. ? 

     [τῶν δ]ὲ ἡγεμονευσάντων Πέδωνος καὶ Μαξίμου 

     [περὶ] κ̣αταστάσεων ἱερέων πρὸς παστοφόρους 

     ἄλλα ἄλλων νομῶν κεκρικότων, τοὺς παστοφόρου[ς] 

8  τὴν παραφυλακὴν ποιεῖσθαι πάντων τῶν ἐντ̣ὸ̣ς̣ 

     [περι]βόλου τῶν ἱερῶν καθὼς ἔτι ἄνωθεν ἐποιοῦσαν, 

     [το]ῦ̣ τε ἱερατικοῦ νόμου Σεμνουθι τὸ ὅμοιον τοῖς 

     [κρίμα]σι τῶν ἡγεμόνων περιέχοντος· ὁμοίως 

12  [δὲ κ]αὶ περ̣[ὶ] τῶν̣ ὑπηρεσιῶν, κεκρικότων τῶν ἡγε̣-

     [μον]ε̣υσάντω[ν Σ]κ̣άπλου καὶ Ἀκύλου περὶ τοῦ τοὺς πα[στο-]

     [φόρους ὑ]πη[ρετ]ε̣ῖ̣ν τοῖς ἱ̣ε̣ρ̣ε̣ῦ̣σι, τοῦ δ̣ε ἱερατικοῦ [νόμου] 

     [Σεμνου]θ̣ι̣ τ̣[ὸ ὅμ]οιον τ̣ο̣ῖ̣ς̣ κ̣ρίμασι τῶ̣ν̣ ἡγεμόνω̣[ν] 

16  [περιέχον]τ̣ο̣[ς. -ca.?- ] vac. ? 

     [ -ca.?-  τοὺς π]αστοφόρους ποιεῖν τὰς παραφυ-

     [λακὰς ἐντὸς περι]βόλου τοῦ ἱεροῦ καὶ τὰς ὑπηρεσίας 

     [τοῖς ἱερεῦσι ἀκολούθ]ω̣ς τοῖς ὑπὸ τῶν ἡγεμόνων κεκρι-

20  [μένοις περὶ τούτ]ων καὶ τω ἱερατικῶι νόμωι̣ Σεμνο̣[υθι.] 

     [ -ca.?- ]ν̣ περὶ τῶν γενομένων ἐν[τὸς περι-]

     [βόλου τοῦ ἱεροῦ ἱ]ερέων ἀξιούντων μηδεν[  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣] 

     [ -ca.?- ] ὑ̣πὸ μηδενὸς παστοφόρου ε[  ̣  ̣]  

24  [ -ca.?- ] βωμοὺς ἕως οὗ ὑπὸ τοῦ πυ[  ̣  ̣  ̣]  

     [ -ca.?- ] vac. ? [ -ca.?- ]  

     [ -ca.?- ] π̣ρὸς [τ]οῦτο μηδένα ἀποφ[  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣]

14. l. τε  ;  20. l. τῶ<ι>

... of the pylons in the same temple lay individuals, byssus-weavers, bakers, and other types, and of women: the overseeing of them (shall be assumed by pastroforoi?). Since the late prefects Pedo [11–12 CE] and Maximus [12–14 CE ]in the case of disputes of priests with the pastophoroi have given varied judgments in different nomes, that the pastophoroi exercise supervision for themselves of all that are within the temple precinct, as they indeed did before, and given that the sacred law of Semnouthi contains similar (regulations) to the judgments of the prefects; and so that they (do) in similar way in regards of the services, as the late prefects Scapula [3–10 CE] and Aquila [10–11 CE] have given judgements on the fact that pastophoroi serve the priests,  and given that  …the sacred law of Semnouthi contains similar (regulations) to the judgments of the prefects.

So that pastophoroi exercise control within the temple precinct and services to the priests according with the judgments in these matters of the prefects and the sacred law of Semnouthi. 

… in regards of what is happening within the temple precinct, so that priests request that no one and … no pastophoros….

4.6. Rules for Priestly Prebends – P. Gen I (2). 7 (WChr. 80,  after 85 CE)

     Νεμεσίωνι βασιλ[ι]κῷ̣ γραμματῖ 

     Ἀρσινοείτου Ἡρα̣κλε̣ίδου μερί-

     δος. ἀντίγραφον ἐπιστολῆς ἣν 

4  ἔγραψέ μοι Ἀπολλ̣ων̣ί̣δ̣ης ὁ κ̣ρά-

     τιστος ἀρχιπροφή̣τ̣ης ἀπέστι-

     λά σοι. αἱ μὲν οὖν π̣ρ̣[οσή]κ̣ο̣υσ̣αι αὐ-

     τῷ τάξ̣εις φυλ̣αχ̣[θ]ή̣τ̣ωσαν ὥσπ̣ε̣[ρ] 

8  οἱ πρ[ὸ ἐ]μ̣οῦ ἔστησαν κατὰ τ̣ὸ̣ ἐ̣ξ̣ [ἀρ-]

     χῆς ἔθ̣ο̣ς̣. πρὸς δ̣[ὲ] τ̣[ο]ὺς κακ̣ῶ̣ς 

     ὑπεσχ̣[η]μ̣ένους ἀναλημφθήτωι-

     σαν αἱ̣ [δ]ο̣θεῖσαι ὑπʼ αὐτῶν̣ τι̣μ̣α̣ὶ 

12  ὡς ἔθ̣[ο]ς̣. Φαῶφ[ι ιδ⟧ δ. 

—— 

     Ἀπολλ̣ω̣νίδηι ὀ̣[ράπει κα]ὶ̣ ἀ̣ρ̣χ̣ι̣π̣ρο-

     φήτῃ. ἔ̣γραψα τῶι τῆς Ἡρ̣α̣κ̣λ̣ε̣ί̣δ̣ο̣υ̣ 

     μερίδος βασιλικῶι, ὡς ἐβουλήθη̣ς̣, 

   16  τιμιώτατε Ἀπολ̣[λωνί]δη, ἵνα [σ]οὶ 

     μὲν αἱ προσήκουσ̣αι τ̣άξ̣ι̣ς̣ φυλα-

     χθῶσι, πρός τε τοὺς κακῶς ὑ̣πε-a

     σχημένους, ὧν οὐκ ἔδ̣ε̣ι, τι̣μὴν 

20  ἀναλάβῃ τὰ ὡρι̣σμένα. Φ̣αῶφι δ.

1. l. γραμματεῖ || 5-6. l. ἀπέστει|λά || 10-11. l. ἀναλημφθήτω|σαν || 17. l. τάξεις

To Nemesion, the royal scribe of the Arsinoite nome, of the meris of Herakleides. I have sent you a copy of a letter that the most excellent Archprophet Apollonides has written me, so that the payments pertaining to him are safe-guarded as my predecessors had established according to the original custom. Regarding these who have wrongly assumed (payments), let the honours conferred to them by my predecessors be taken away according to custom. On the 4th fo Phaophi.

To Apollonios orapis and archprophet, I have written to the royal scribe of the meris of Herakleides, as you have wanted, most distinguished Apollonides, that the payments that pertain to you be safe-guarded, and that there shall be removed the established attributions and honour from those who wrongly assumed charges, which they should have not. The 4th of Phaophi.

4.7. Dispute about priestly prebeds: SB XVI 12685 (Stud. Pal. XXII 184 (4.10.139 CE):

col I, ll.33–35) ὡ[ς] δ̣[ι]ὰ τοῦ̣ ὑ̣πο[μν]η̣ματισμ[ο]ῦ [καὶ κατʼ] ἐ[πιστ]ο̣λὴν τοῦ πρ̣[ὸς] | τῷ ἰδίῳ λόγῳ, καλ̣[ῶς ο]ὖ̣ν̣ πεσκ̣εμμενη (l. <ἐ>πεσκεμμένοι) τ̣[ὰ κατʼ] ἔ̣θη μεταδί|δοτα[ι]… as it is (evidenced through) the protocols and the letter of the supervisor of the Privy Purse, so now investigate according the customs and report… 

        Col. III 64–IV 71:                (…)                                               Κλαυ]δ̣ί̣ῳ
      [Ἰουλ]ιανῷ τῷ πρὸς τ̣[ῷ ἰδίῳ] λόγῳ παρὰ [Σ]τοτοήτι[ος τοῦ]
      [Στο]τοήτιος καὶ τῶ̣ν̣ λοιπῶν ἱ[ερ]έων κώμης Σο̣κνοπα̣[ίου Νήσο]υ̣
    τ[ῆ]ς Ἡρακλείδο(υ) με̣[ρ]ί̣δος ἱ[εροῦ λογ]ίμου Ἴσιδος Νεφρ[έμμε-]
68  [ως θεᾶ]ς̣ με̣γί[στης.   ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣]  ̣  ̣  ̣ ὑποκεῖσθ[αι τῷ ἡ]μ̣ε̣τ̣[έρῳ]

     ἱ̣ε̣[ρῷ τ]ὴν σύνταξιν ἐπ̣[ὶ τῆς] κώμης Πηλουσίου [  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣ ἱ]ε̣ρῶν τ̣ῆ̣ς̣  

      Θ̣εμί̣σ̣τ̣ου μερίδ[ος τοῦ Ἀρσινο]είτου [κατὰ] τ̣ὸ παλαιὸν ἔθος [ἀκ]ο̣λ̣ούθ(ως)  

     το̣ῖ̣ς κριθεῖσι καὶ̣ τ̣ο̣[ῖς ἐν καταχ]ω̣ρ̣ι̣[σμῷ ὑπε]ραγάθοις λόγοις. 

To Klaudius Julianus the Supervisor of the Privy Purse from Stotoetis son of Stotoetis and other priests of the village of Sokonopaiou Nesos of the district of Herakleides of the glorious holiness of Isis Nephremmis the great goddess … to our temple there belongs the subvention of the village Pelousion fo the district of Themistes of the Arsinoite nome, according with  the old custom and in conformity with the judgements and with what has been registered in the records.

4.8. A Decision of Antachiereus Regarding the Right of the Boule of Ptolemais to Appoint neokoroi – SB VI 9016 (160 CE, Koptos).

  I  [ἀντί]γραφον ὑπο̣[μνηματισμοῦ ? -ca.?- ?ἀ]νταρχερέως, ἔτους κγ Ἀντωνίνου Καίσαρος 

     [το]ῦ κυρίου Φαρμουθ. ἐν π[? -ca.?- ?]μου ἱεροποιοῦ καὶ   ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣ρος τοῦ καὶ Σεραπίωνος ἀρχι-

     πρυτάνεως Ἡφα̣[? -ca.?- ?]τοις εἶπεν ηχθε̣[? -ca.?- ?] ἐν τῶι τοῦ Θειν̣είτου διαλο-

4  γισμῶι περὶ ἱερ[οῦ ? -ca.?- ?]ας μεθʼ ἕτε[ρα ? -ca.?- ?] τὰ ὑποτεταγμένα 

     μετʼ ἄλλα. ἀντ̣[ίγραφον ὑπομνηματισμοῦ ? -ca.?- ?]  ̣ου Οὐεργ̣ελλίου̣ [Καπίτ]ωνος 

     [(ἔτους)] η Τιβερίου Κλα[υδίου Κ]α̣ίσα̣ρο̣[ς Σεβαστοῦ] Γερμανικοῦ Αὐ[τοκ]ράτορος Φαμενὼθ α  

     [ἐν] Πτολεμαιίδι ε  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣ριοσ̣  ̣ς  ̣[? -ca.?- ? Ἀ]πολλώνιος Φιλ[ί]ππου· ἡ βουλὴ δοκιμάζειν εἴω-

8  [θ]εν τοὺς ὑπηρετοῦν[τας ? -ca.?- ?]ι γραμμα[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣ας νεωκόρους τοῦ ἄλλ[ο]υς τοὺς ὁμοίους· αἰτεῖτ̣αι̣ τὸ ἐξ ἀρ- 

     χ̣ῆ̣ς̣ ἔθος αὐτῆι φυλα̣[? -ca.?- ?] Κ̣απίτω[ν· ? -ca.?- ?]ε̣ται. ἀντίγραφον ὑπομνηματισμοῦ Λυσιμάχου 

     πρὸς τῶι ἰδίωι λόγω[ι. ἔτους δ]ευτ̣έρου Σερουί̣[ου Γάλβ]α Αὐτοκράτορος Σεβαστοῦ Μεχεὶρ δ. ἀπὸ [ε]ἰσδόσεως 

     ἀναγεινωσκομεν [? -ca.?- ?]ξεν̣νον δύ̣ο και[? -ca.?- ?]λαου κατηγόρων δ̣ι̣ʼ ἧς προσήγγειλαν τοὺς Πτολε-

12  μ̣αιέων βουλευτὰς   ̣[? -ca.?- ? π]ροτε[τ]αγμ[ένην ? -ca.?- ?νε]ωκορείαν πεπρακέναι ταλάντων δ. μετὰ τὰ 

     λ̣[ε]χθέντα Λυσίμα[χος ἐ]ν πινακίδι δια[γ]ρ̣άψ[ας] ἀπόφασιν ἐκέλευσεν ἀναγνωσθῆ̣ναι κατὰ 

     λ[έ]ξ̣ιν οὕτως ἔχ̣ο̣υ̣σ̣αν̣· καὶ ἐκ τῶν προστα[γμ]άτων τῶν βασιλικῶν ἃ πολλάκις μου εἰς τὰς χρεί-

     ας̣ ἦλθεν καὶ ἐκ τῶν κρίσ̣εων τῶν ἡγεμο̣νικῶν, ὁρῶ τὴν βουλὴν τὰς τοιαύτας τάξεις κατὰ 

16  ψηφίσματα οἷς ἂν κρείνῃ παρέχουσαν τὸν   ̣[? -ca.?- ?] ἀμφισβητήσαντα Ἰσίδωρον οὐχ ὑπὲρ υἱοῦ τετε-

A copy of the minutes …. of the Chiefpriest, the year 23 of Antoninus Caesar, the Lord, Pharmouthi. In the presence of hieropoius and … also known as  Serapion and chief prytanis. Hefa? … said ‘during the court-circuit of the Thinite nome, on sacred … after other matters the appended selected pieces (of  the protocols. A copy of the minutes of Vergilius Capito. In the 8th  year of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Imperator, the 1st of Phamenoth in Ptolemais… Apollonios son of Philippos: ‘the council has customarily approved after scrutiny servants … and scribes … and neokoroi of the sacred grove and all the similar. 

He requests that that the original custom be upkept.  Capiton: ‘?.....’ A copy of the minutes of Lysimachos the (supervisor) of the Privy Purse. In the second year of Servius Galba Imperator Augustus, on the 4th of Mecheir. After the reading of the memoranda … two … of the claimants through which they announced that the councillors of Ptolemais may sell the neokoria in question for 4 talents. These being read, Lysimachos having written the response on the tablet, commanded that it be made public, and according to the wording it is as follows: ‘from the decrees of the kings which have often come to my use, and from the judgements of the prefects, I see that the Council has granted these offices in accordance with (its) resolutions to those it would choose; and that Isidoros in regards to 

     λευ[τ]ηκό̣τος λελογοποιημένον ἵνα φιλανθρω[? -ca.?- ?]ως αὐτὸν ἡ πρὸς τὴν βουλὴν ἔντευξι̣ς̣ γένηται 

     δι  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣  ̣ε̣ψ̣ηφίσαντο οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς βουλῆς περὶ   ̣[? -ca.?- ?]άξεως οὕτως μενέτω. τοῦ α(ὐτοῦ) Λυσιμάχου ὑπο-

     [? -ca.?- ?]υ τῶι κ (ἔτει) ἐν δι[αλογ]ι̣σ̣μῶι Θεινείτ̣[ου ἐ]ν Μέμφει τῶι κ (ἔτει) Οὐεσπασιανοῦ θεοῦ Μεχεὶρ δ  

20  [? -ca.?- ? Λ]υσίμαχος ὑπέγρ[αψ]εν· ἀχθέντος α  ̣  ̣  ̣ως̣[? -ca.?- ?] κεῖται ἐπὶ ἀναλημψιμῶν νεωκοριῶν καὶ 

     [? -ca.?- ?]ω̣ν καὶ ἐπιμελ[η]τιῶν τῶν κατὰ [? -ca.?- ?]ερος ἐπὶ Πτολεμαίδος καὶ ἐν ἄλλοις νομοῖς, 

     [Λυσίμα]χος· ἐπε[ὶ] κατὰ ἐπι[τ]η̣ρηθέντα ὑπὸ βασ̣[ιλ]έ̣ων καὶ ἡγεμόνων [τ]ὰς ἐπιμελητείας καὶ 

     [νεωκορ]ί̣ας οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς βουλῆς φαίνοντ[αι κ]ατὰ ψήφισμα δι[δό]ν̣τες οἷς ἂν κρε[ί]νωσιν, μὴ 

24  [? -ca.?- ?]σθω. μ̣ε̣θ̣ʼ ἕτ̣ε̣ρ̣α̣· μετ̣ὰ̣ τ̣ὴ̣ν̣ ἀνάγ̣νω[σιν Σ]ε̣ρ̣η̣νιανὸς β̣ου̣[λευ]σάμενος με̣τ̣ὰ τῶν 

To his deceased son did not state invented things, and thus the request which was made to the council was treated favourably (?). And so what the members of the Councils have voted, let it be so upheld’. From the sub[scription? Minutes?] of the s(ame?) Lysimachos. In the 20th year in the court-circuit of the Thinite Nome, in Memphis, in the 20th year of divine Vespasian, the 4th of Mecheir. … Lysimachos subscribed in the suits regarding claiming the offices of neokoria and epimeleia, in Ptolemais and other nomes Lysimachos ‘according to what has been safe-guarded by the kings and the prefects, it appears that the members of the council assign by a resolution the office of neokoroi and epimeletai to whom they choose, and not …’. After other things. Serenianus having acknowledged (these) and discussed [with the present/council]….

     [? -ca.?- ?]νε̣ι̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣ιων  ̣  ̣  ̣α  ̣  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]να  ̣  ̣ [? -ca.?- ?]  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣κ  ̣  ̣  ̣νκ[? -ca.?- ?]ρ̣ε  ̣ω̣ν 

     [? -ca.?- ?]  ̣  ̣  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣ων  ̣  ̣  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]αρχ  ̣  ̣[? -ca.?- ?] ωσπερυ  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣  ̣  ̣ουτε 

     [? -ca.?- ?]διδυ[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣ε  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣σενκ̣ [? -ca.?- ?]  ̣ ἱεροῦ 

28  [? -ca.?- ?]με  ̣  ̣  ̣ακ[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣ηνι[? -ca.?- ?]ε̣ιπ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣α  ̣αν [? -ca.?- ?]  ̣χθην 

     [? -ca.?- ?]χ  ̣  ̣  ̣[? -ca.?- ?]  ̣ωκιων τάξιν [? -ca.?- ?]το̣υτα 

     [? -ca.?- ?]τα πρ[οσ]ή̣κοντα υ[? -ca.?- ?]σεται 

     -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  

     [? -ca.?- ?]ενγρα  ̣  ̣[? -ca.?- ?] 

II  ἀντίγρ(αφον) ὑπογραφῆς τοῦ κρατίστου ἀνταρχερέως. 

     [ἱ]εροῦ Σωτῆρος· πραχθήτω τὰ ὡρισμένα καὶ τοὺς 

     [λ]όγους ἐν διμήνωι καταχωρισάτωσαν καὶ ἐξέ-

4  [τασι]ς̣ τ̣οῦ χειρισμοῦ καὶ τῶν {καὶ τῶν} ἀναθημά-

     των γινέσθω ὑπὸ τοῦ κρατίστου ἐπιστρατήγου. 

     ἀντίγρ(αφον) ἐπιστολῆς τοῦ α(ὐτοῦ). 

     [Ο]ὔλπιος Σερηνιανὸς στρ(ατηγῶι) καὶ βασιλικῶι 

8  Κοπτίτου χαίρειν. 

     [ἐ]πιστολῆς γραφείσης μοι ὑπὸ πρυτανέων 

     καὶ βουλῆς καὶ δήμου Πτολεμαιέων τ̣ῶν 

     ἐν Θηβαίδι ἀντίγρ(αφον) ὑποτέτακται. ἐπεὶ οὖν, 

12  ὥς φασιν, ἡ νεωκορία τοῦ ἐν Κόπτωι ἱεροῦ 

     Σωτῆρος τῆι πόλει αὐτῶν προσήκει, ἀκόλου-

     θόν ἐστι τὸ ἐξ ἀρχῆς ἔθος αὐτοῖς φυλάσσεσθαι. 

     ἐρρῶσθαι ὑμᾶς εὔχομαι. 

16  (ἔτους) κγ Ἀντωνίνου Καίσαρος τοῦ κυρίου Φαρμοῦθι η

A copy of a  authorization of the most excellent Antachiereus. Regarding the temple of Soter. Let it be carried out, that the established attributions are assigned;  (the responsible) shall register the accounts within two months, and the most excellent Epistragegos shall carry out examination of the inventory and of the votive gifts.

A copy of a letter of the same. 

Ulpius Serenianus to the strategos and the royal (scribe) of the Coptite nome. A copy of a letter that has been written to me by the prytaneis and the council, and the people of Ptolemais in Thebais, is attached. And truly, as they say, the office of neokoria in Coptos of the temple of Soter pertains to their city, accordingly the original custom is to be safe-guarded for them. I pray so you may prosper. In the year 24th of  Antoninus Caesar, the Lord, on the 8th of Pharmouthi.

i i  l. [ἀ]νταρχιερέως | i 2. l. Φαρμοῦθ<ι> | i 3. l. Θινίτου | i 7. l. Πτολεμαίδι | i 8. l. ἄλσους | i 11  l. ἀναγινωσκομεν | i 12. l. [νε]ωκορίαν | i 16. l. κρίνῃ | i 21. l. ἐπιμελητειῶν | πτολεμαϊδος papyrus | I 23. l. κρίνωσιν | ii 1. l. ἀνταρχιερέως

4.9 Romans and the exemptions of the Egyptian clergy according to ἔθος

4.9a SB VI  9328 (= P. Bacch. 19, 14. June 171 CE) a protest against forced labour on dykes to the strategos

4.9b  SB VI 9340 (198 CE) – a protest against forced labour on dykes to the prefect.

5. Law Application in Roman Egypt

5.1. Roman Guardianship (and the Exemption there of) Based on the Ethos

P. Oxy. II 273 (= MChr. 221, 95 CE)

4  ὁμολογεῖ Ἰουλί[α Ἡ]ρακ[λ]ᾶ μ[ε]τὰ κυρίου τοῦ δεδ[ομ]ένου 

     αὐτῇ κατὰ τὰ [Ῥω]μαίων ἔ[θ]η ὑπὸ Γαίου Σε[πτ]ιμ̣[ίο]υ̣ 

     Ο[ὐ]εγέ[τ]ου τοῦ [ἡγ]εμονεύσαντος

Iulia Herakla declares assisted by a guardian given to her according to the Roman customs by the late prefect Gaius Septimius Vegetus

P. Oxy. X 1277  (28 Augst 257 CE),

     Αὐρηλία Σαραπιὰς Ἀρείου ἀστὴ 

     χωρὶς κυρίου χρηματίζουσα τέκνω(ν)

     δικαίῳ κατὰ τὰ Ῥωμαίων ἔθη Αὐ-

4  ρηλίῳ Θέωνι Ἀμμωνίου τοῦ καὶ 

     Ἀφύγχιος ἀπʼ Ὀξυρ[ύγ]χων πόλεως 

     χαίρειν. 

Aurelia Sarapias daughter of Arius, citizen, acting without a guardian by right of her children according to the Roman customs, to Aurelius Theon son of Ammonius also called Aphunchis,of Oxyrhynchus, greeting …(Editors)

5.2. Human Sacrifice upon the Custom: Plutarch, Quaestiones Romanae 83

“Διὰ τί τοὺς καλουμένους Βλετονησίους βαρβάρους ὄντας ἄνθρωπον τεθυκέναι θεοῖς πυθόμενοι, μετεπέμψαντο τοὺς ἄρχοντας αὐτῶν ὡς κολάσοντες, ἐπεὶ δὲ νόμῳ τινὶ τοῦτ᾿ ἐφαίνοντο πεποιηκότες, ἐκείνους μὲν ἀπέλυσαν, ἐκώλυσαν δὲ πρὸς τὸ λοιπόν; αὐτοὶ δ᾿ οὐ πολλοῖς ἔτεσιν ἔμπροσθεν δύο μὲν ἄνδρας δύο δὲ γυναῖκας ἐν τῇ βοῶν ἀγορᾷ λεγομένῃ, τοὺς μὲν Ἕλληνας, τοὺς δὲ Γαλάτας, ζῶντας κατώρυξαν· φαίνεται γὰρ ἄτοπονταῦτα μὲν ποιεῖν αὐτούς, ἐπιτιμᾶν δὲ βαρβάροις ὡς οὐχ ὅσια ποιοῦσι.” Πότερον τὸ μὲν θεοῖς θύειν ἀνθρώπους ἀνόσιον ἡγοῦντο, τὸ δὲ δαίμοσιν ἀναγκαῖον· ἢ τοὺς μὲν ἔθει καὶ νόμῳ τοῦτο πράττοντας ἁμαρτάνεινἐνόμιζον, αὐτοὶ δὲ προσταχθέντες ἐκ τῶν Σιβυλλείων ἔπραξαν;

83. When the Romans learned that the people called Bletonesii, a barbarian tribe, had sacrificed a man to the gods, why did they send for the tribal rulers with intent to punish them, but, when it was made plain that they had done thus in accordance with a certain law (νόμος), why did the Romans set them at liberty, but forbid the practice for the future? Yet they themselves, not many years before, had buried alive two men and two women, two of them Greeks, two Gauls, in the place called the Forum Boarium. It certainly seems strange that they themselves should do this, and yet rebuke barbarians on the ground that they were acting with impiety.  Did they think it impious to sacrifice men to the gods, but necessary to sacrifice them to the spirits? Or did they believe that men who did this by custom (ἔθος) and law (νόμος) were sinning, whereas they themselves did it by command of the Sibylline books? [Loeb, altered]

5.3 PSI V 454 (27 January / 25 February 320 CE): The Last (?) Petition to Permit Circumcision

ὑπατεία[ς τ]ῶν δεσποτῶν ἡμῶν 

     Κωνστ[αντ]ίνου σεβαστοῦ τὸ ϛ καὶ 

     Κων[σταντίνο]υ τοῦ ἐπιφανεστάτου 

4  καίσαρος [τὸ] α. 

     Οὐαλερίῳ [Ἀμμ]ωνι[αν]ῷ τῷ καὶ 

     [Γεροντίῳ δι]οικοῦντ[ι][ λο]γ̣ιστία̣[ν][Ὀ]ξ(υρυγχίτου) 

     παρὰ Αὐρη[λί]ου Π[  ̣]τ̣[  ̣  ̣ μη(τρὸς(?))   ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣]θε̣[  ̣]ας 

8    ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣[  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣]  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣[  ̣  ̣]ν̣ι̣στ[  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣]  ̣  ̣ς 

     παστοφόρ[ου   ̣  ̣]  ̣  ̣[  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣ μοσχ]οσ̣φ̣[ρ]α-

     γιστὴ[ς(?)] το[ῦ   ̣  ̣  ̣]  ̣  ̣  ̣ [τῆς λαμπρᾶς] καὶ 

     λαμπρ[οτάτης] Ὀξυρ̣υ̣γ̣[χιτῶν πόλεω]ς. 

12  βούλομα̣ι̣ π̣ε̣ρ̣ιτμηθῆναι τ[ὸν υἱ]όν 

     μου Α[ὐρήλιον Ἁ]τρῆτα̣ [ἐ]κ μη[τρὸς] 

     Σινθώ[νιος Ἑρ]μ̣ίο(υ) [πα]στοφό[ρο]υ 

     τοῦ αὐτοῦ [ἱεροῦ, ὄ]ντα̣ [π]ρὸς τὸ ἐνεστὸς 

16  ιδ <(ἔτος)> ιβ (ἔτος) δ [(ἔτος)][. τὴν] δὲ ἀ̣π̣όδιξιν  

     τοῦ εἶν[αι αὐτὸν ἱερατικ]οῦ γένους 

     ἀναλαβὼν [ἐκ] τ̣ῶ[ν] π̣[αρ]ακειμένων 

     ἐν τῷ δημοσίῳ βιβ[λιο]φυλακείῳ  

20  βιβλίων̣ ἐ̣πεσκεμμένων 

     ἐν ἐκτάκτ[ῳ] σοι παρατίθημι καὶ 

     ἀξιῶ γράψαι τῷ διασημοτ̣[άτ]ῳ 

     ἀρχ̣ιερ̣ε[ῖ ὥ̣σ̣τ̣ε̣] κ̣αὶ [α]ὐτῷ ὑπαρχθῆ-

24  ναι ἀ̣[κολούθως τοῖς] νό̣μοις κ̣[αὶ] δια-

     τεταγ[μένοις, ὀμνύ]ω̣ν τὸν σεβάσμιον 

     θε̣ῖ̣ο̣ν̣ ὅρκο̣[ν μηδὲ]ν ἐψεῦσθ[αι]. 

     ὑπατείας [τ]ῆς α̣[ὐ]τ(ῆς), Μ̣ε̣χ[εὶρ]   ̣. 

Apparatus 6. BL XI .314 : [ἐπι]ε̣ικεστά̣τ[ῳ] prev. ed.; 6. l. [λο]γιστεία[ν], BL 9.314 : [λ]ο̣γι[στῇ] prev. ed.’ 14. BL I 399 : [  ̣  ̣  ̣]  ̣ιο  ̣ prev. ed.; 16. BL VIII 398 : ἰ(ν)δ(ικτί)ο(νος) κβ (ἔτος) δ[έκα (ἐτῶν)] prev. ed. ;16. l. ἀπόδειξιν; 19. l. βιβλιοφυλακίῳ

During the consulship of our Lords Constantine Augustus for the 6th time and Constantius the notable Caesar for the 1st time. To Valerius Ammonios alias Gerontios in charge of logisteia of Oxyrhynchos from Aurelios …. of mother  .,.. pastophoros and calf-sealer (?) of [the temple X?] … of the splendid and most splendid city of the Oxyrhynchitai. 12| I want to circumcise my son Aurelios Atretas of mother Sinthonis daughter of Hermios, pastophoros of the same temple, the present 14 year, the present 12 year and the present 4th year. And the proof of his being of a priestly descent,  having received it from the records deposited in the public register and having it certified on a separate sheet, I furnish it to you and request so you write to the most distinguished archiereus so that (the procedure) may be commenced in accordance with the laws and edicts, taking a divine and august oath that nothing has been falsified. During the consulship of the same, Mecheir…