Tebtynis (Fayum region, Egypt — Pleiades map), 47 CE (18 August)
AGRW 302 =
GRA III 219 =
PMich V 245
= Papyri.info TM 12086
= AGRW ID# 3174
Copenhagen Inventory info: 1658
In the seventh year of emperor Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, on the 25th of the month Kaisareios. Coming together, the undersigned men, salt-merchants (halopōlai) of Tebtynis, have decided by common consent to elect one of their number, a good man, Apynchis son of Orseus, both supervisor (epimelētēs) and collector of the public taxes for the coming eighth year of emperor Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. The aforementioned Apynchis is to collect all the public taxes for the same trade (ergasia) for the coming year. All, acting together, shall sell salt in the aforementioned village ofTebtynis. Orseus alone has obtained the sole right by lot to sell gypsum in the aforementioned village of Tebtynis and in the nearby villages, for which he shall pay, apart from the portion of the public charges that falls to him, another sixty-six silver drachmas. Likewise, it is agreed that the same Orseus has obtained the sole right in Kerkesis to sell salt, for which he shall likewise pay another eight silver drachmas. And it is agreed that Harmiysis, also called Belles son of Harmiysis, has obtained the sole right to sell salt and gypsum in the village of Tristomos, also called Boukolos, for which he shall pay, apart from the portion of the public charges that falls to him, another five silver drachmas. This is upon the condition that they shall sell high quality salt at the rate of two and one-half obols, the light salt at the rate of two obols, and the lighter salt at one and one-half obol, by our measure or that of the warehouse. If someone sells salt at a lower price than these, he shall be fined eight silver drachmas, payable to the common fund and the same to the public treasury. And if any of them is found to have sold more than one coin’s (stater’s) worth of salt to a store, he shall be fined eight silver drachmas, payable to the common fund and the same amount to the public treasury.
If the merchant intends to buy more than four drachmas of salt, it is necessary that all sell to him jointly. If someone imports gypsum and wants to sell it outside the area, it must be left in the storerooms of Orseus son of Harmiysis, until he takes it outside the area and sells it.
It is agreed that they shall drink always on the 25th of each month with each member having a liquid measure (chous; i.e. about 3.25 litres) of beer. If someone fails to attend a meeting in the village he shall be fined one drachma; if the meeting is outside the village, the fine is four drachmas, and if it is in the metropolis, eight drachmas. If someone fails to pay his dues and does not pay any of the public charges or fines (?) laid against him, Apynchis has the authority to arrest him, whether in the town square or in his house or in the field, and to hand him over as was indicated above.
Apynchis son of Orseus (?), leader (hēgoumenos), about 32 years old, with a scar on the right side. . .; Name . . . about 31 years old, with a scar on his left hand; . . . Name about 55 years old, with a scar on his . . . foot; . . . Name about . . . years old with a scar. . .; . . . Name about . . . years old with a scar. . .
Translation by: KloppenborgItem added: September 18, 2012
Item modified: May 27, 2021
ID number: 3174
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