Oxyrhynchos (Upper Egypt, Egypt — Pleiades map), 271-272 CE
GRA III 272 =
POxy XII 1414
= Papyri.info TM 21824
= AGRW ID# 31523
Copenhagen Inventory info: 1928
Papyrus (22.3 x 18 cm). These are minutes taken at the meeting of the Council of Oxyrhynchos. The first item of business is the so-called "cloak" tax. The exact nature of the "cloak" (anabolikos) tax is unknown, but from the time of the emperor Aurelian it is clear that it was an imperial tax pertaining to the supply of linen material, perhaps for ceremonial garments for use by the Roman army. The district (nome) was responsible for its collection and here the linen-dealers are the mediators between Oxyrhynchos (representing the district) and the linen-weavers who will weave the cloth for the tax payment (with financial support from other levels). See Jennifer A. Sheridan, “The ‘Anabolikon,’” ZPE 124 (1999): 211–17. Although no association is mentioned in these minutes regarding the linen-dealers and linen-weavers, we know that workers in these occupations did form associations in Egypt and elsewhere.
(Arrangements for payment of the imperial “sacred cloak” tax)
. . . The president (prytanis) said (?) “. . . is also owed 14 talents. The value of 100 garments is 14 (?) . . . talents . . . . I have received the 6.5 belonging to the district (nome) in the account of the city. May they be compelled to pay monthly from their own property 7.5 . . . .”
The president said, “You examined the list regarding the sacred cloak tax (hieros anabolikos) and set a limit, and your judgment was submitted to the commander (stratēgos), but . . . the linen-dealers (linemporoi) (?) . . . made the excuse that neither those administering the work (i.e. linen-weavers = linouphoi) nor their wives were able to weave the linen. . . . Set a limit regarding this. There are only a few villages in your district that have this material.”
The councillors (bouleutai) said, ” . . . Septimius Diogenes, also known as Agathos Daimon, the former writer of the minutes and designated advocate (syndikos) said, “The linen-dealers . . . report that (?) . . . and the price of weaving yarn is 49 denarii, and that 11 denarii were paid to them from the treasury’s account (i.e. Oxyrhynchos’ treasury) . . .
The councillors said (?) . . . : “Let the linen-dealers be satisfied with the 19 denarii that was paid from the treasury’s account.”
Septimius Diogenes, also known as Agathos Daimon, the former writer of the minutes and designated advocate (syndikos) said, “If this is your decision in regards to the weaving of yarn, we will supply a sample and (second hand of another minute-taker begins) those who will weave it . . . Let the linen-weavers (linouphoi) intending to weave the cloth for the sacred cloak tax (hieros anabolikos) appoint someone to test it (?).”
The petition of the linen-weavers of the city regarding last year’s arrangements was being read out: . . . “More drachmas should be given to them . . . on account of the increase in the cost of materials and the increase of wages for the workers.”
After the petition was read, the president said, “More drachmas should be given to the linen-weavers for the production, making 200 drachmas in all, on account of the rise in cost of materials. You have proposed that . . . when the bolt is valued, let these drachmas increase. Those paying the price of cloth . . . it will be supplied to you at the next council.” The councillors said, “So be it.”
(Other business)
After an order by Terentius Arius, commander (stratēgos), was read out concerning the election of . . . . It was decided to delay until the next meeting. An order of the commander was read out regarding the election of providers of animals. After this was read, the president said, “Above all the deliveries of those animals to those providing. . . Having collected some present in the meeting, we nominated Sarapion so that there may not be . . . .”
The councillors said, “Invaluable president, save yourself for us, president. Your rule is beautiful . . . is beautiful . . . .” The president said, “… is in the counting house.” The councillors said, “The president has acted appropriately.” The president said, “The law orders that the incoming president should be nominated six months beforehand. I remind you . . . .” The councillors said, “. . . The nomination is made with a resolution…” The president said, “For I am ill and have a cough in my chest, as you know, and . . .” The councillors said, “. . . president, noble president, continue to work on our behalf, work for what is worthy of the past . . .” The president said, “. . . it is, those owing half of this share . . . .” The councillors said, “. . . .” The president said, “When the Council is summoned today . . . .” Every precaution will be made . . . .
Translation by: Patrick Stange and Harland
[- ca.10 -ὀ]φ̣ί̣λ̣ε[τα]ι ([ὀ]φείλε[τα]ι) [κ]αὶ τάλ[α]ν̣τ̣α δεκατέσσαρα . ἡ τιμὴ τῶν ρ̣ σ̣[τι]χ̣[α]ρ̣ίων τάλαντα ἑκατὸν τεσσαρ[άκοντα -ca.?- ] | [- ca.11 -] ἀ̣π̣έχω τὰ διαφέροντα τῷ νομῷ εἰς τὸ μέρος τῆς πόλεως ἓξ ἥμισοι (ἥμισυ) . μηνιαῖοι ἀποδοῦναι ἐ̣κ τῆς ἰ̣δ̣ί̣α̣ς̣ ἀπαιτείσθωσαν ἑ̣[πτὰ ἥμισυ (?)-ca.?- ] | [- ca.10 -]χ̣ίζεται. | [ὁ πρύτανις εἶπ(εν)· τὴ]ν̣ τ̣οῦ ἱεροῦ <ἀναβολικοῦ> γραφ[ὴ]ν κ[ατ]εσκέψασθαι (κ[ατ]εσκέψασθε) καὶ ὅρον δεδώκατε καὶ ἐπεσταλην (ἐπεστάλη) τὰ δόξαντα ὑμεῖν (ὑμῖν) τῷ στρατηγῷ, ἀλλὰ [οἱ λινέμποροι(?) (ἱερεῖς) μὴ -ca.?- ] || [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ τοὺς τὸ ἔρ]γ̣ο̣ν τοῦτο μεταχειρισαμένους μηδὲ τὰ[ς] γυναῖκας αὐτῶν δύνασθαι κλώθειν τὸ λείνον (λίνον) προεβάλοντο ̣[ -ca.?- ] | [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣]α̣ ̣[ ̣ ̣] ὅπως καὶ περὶ το̣ῦ̣το ὅρον δῶτε. ὀλίγε (ὀλίγαι) γὰρ κῶ[μα]ί εἰσιν αἳ ἐν τῷ νομῷ ὑμῶν τοῦτο τὸ εἶδος ἔχουσιν. οἱ βου[λ]ε̣[υταὶ εἶπ(ον)· -ca.?- ] | [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣]ν̣αι. Σεπτίμιος Διογένης ὁ καὶ Ἀγαθὸς Δαίμων γενόμενος ὑπομνηματογράφος καὶ ὡς χρημα(τίζει) σύν[δικος εἶπ(εν)· οἱ λινέμποροι (?)-ca.?- ] | [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣]σ̣αι καὶ ἐ̣[κ] τ̣ε̣σ̣σ̣α̣ρ̣άκοντα ἐννέα δηναρίων εἶναι τὸ λείνον (λίνον) τὸ στημονικόν, ἕνδεκα δὲ δηνάρια αὐτοῖς ἐξωδιάσθη ἀπ[ὸ τοῦ ταμιακοῦ λόγου -ca.?- ] | [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ γ]ενέσθαι. [οἱ βο]υλευταὶ εἶπ(ον)· [δε]κ̣αεννέα δηναρίοις ἀρκείσθωσαν οἱ λεινενποροις (λινέμποροι) μετὰ τὸ ἐξωδιαζ[ό]μενον ἀπὸ τοῦ τα̣[μ]ι̣[ακοῦ λόγου. Σεπτίμιος Διογένης ὁ καὶ Ἀγαθὸς Δαίμων γενόμενος] || [ὑπομνηματογρά]φος καὶ ὡς χρημα(τίζει) σύνδικος εἶπ(εν)· εἰ τοῦτο ὑμ[ῖ]ν [ἔ]δ̣ο̣ξεν ἐπὶ τοῦ στημονικοῦ, πεῖραν προσενεγκοῦμ[ε]ν̣ καὶ τοῖς μ(hand 2) έλλουσι[ν](μέλλουσι[ν])[ ὑφαίνειν -ca.?- ] | [- ca.13 -]τ̣α̣ξ̣ά̣τ̣ωσάν τινα οἱ λινόϋφοι οἱ (αι) μέλλοντες ὑφαίνειν τὴν ὀθόνην τοῦ ἱεροῦ ἀναβ[ολικοῦ -ca.?- ] (ἀνα ̣[ -ca.?- ] ) | [ἀναγνωσθείσης ἀξ]ι̣ώσεως τῶ[ν τῆ]ς πόλεως λινοΰφων περὶ τοῦ μετὰ τὰς πέρυσιν ἐξοδιασθεισαν (ἐξοδιασθεῖσας) αὐτοῖς̣ [ὑπὲρ -ca.?- δραχμὰς -ca.?- δοθῆναι ἄλλας δραχμὰς] | [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ δι]ὰ̣ [τὴ]ν̣ πλεοτιμίαν [τῶ]ν εἰδῶν καὶ τὴν πλεομισθίαν τῶν ὑ(ϋπουργ[ω]ν)πουργ[ῶ]ν, μετὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν ὁ̣ π̣[ρύτανις εἶπ(εν)· δοθήτωσαν τοῖς λινοΰφοις ἄλλαι δραχμαὶ] | [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ κο]ν̣τ̣α̣ ε̣ἰ̣ς̣ [σ]υνπλήρωσιν δραχμῶν διακοσίων διὰ τὴν πλεοτιμίαν τῶν εἰδῶν. τοῦτο ψηφ[ίσασθε (?)-ca.?- ] || [ ̣ ̣ συντε]τ̣ι̣μ̣η̣μ̣ένου τοῦ κρίκου καὶ αὗται προσγενέσθωσαν. οἱ τελοῦντες τὴν τιμὴν τοῦ [λίνου (?)-ca.?- ] | [- ca.11 -] π̣[α]ρ̣α̣τεθήσεται ὑμῖν τῇ ἑξῆς βουλῇ· οἱ βουλευταὶ εἶπ(ον)· οἴτω (ἴτω). | [- ca.15 - ἀναγ]νωσθέντος ἐπιστάλματος Τερεντίου Ἀρίου στρα(τηγοῦ) περὶ τοῦ αἱρεθῆναι εκα̣[ -ca.?- ] | [ἔδοξεν ὑπερτεθῆνα]ι̣ [ε]ἰ̣ς τὴν ἑξῆς βουλήν. | [ἀναγνωσθέντος ἐπιστά]λ̣μ̣α̣τ̣ος τ[οῦ] στρατηγοῦ περὶ αἱρέσεως ἄλλω̣[ν κατα]πομ̣πῶν ζῴων, με[τὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν ὁ πρύτανις εἶπ(εν)·] || [- ca.13 -] μ̣ά̣λ̣ιστα [δὲ] τ̣ῶν κ̣[ατ]α̣πομ̣π̣ῶν τῶν καταφε̣[ρομέν]ω̣ν ζῴων το̣ῖς ἅμα τ[ο]ῖ̣ς̣ κ̣α̣τ̣α̣φ̣[ερομένοις -ca.?- ] | [- ca.15 -]υ̣πο̣ν (υ̣πο̣νυ̣πο̣ν) σ̣υνάξας τινὰς τοὺς παρ[ό]ντας ἀπὸ τῆς βουλῆς ὠ[ν]ομάσαμεν ἕνα Σαραπ̣[ίωνα -ca.?- ἵνα μὴ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣] | [- ca.15 -] γ[έ]νηται. οἱ βουλευταὶ εἶπ(ον)· ἀτ̣ίμητε (ατ̣ιμηται) πρύτανι, σώ̣ζ̣ο̣υ̣ ἡμῖν, πρύτανι (πρινινι) καλῶς ἄρχις (ἄρχεις), κα[λῶς -ca.?- ὁ πρύτανις εἶπ(εν)· -ca.?- ] | [- ca.16 -] ̣ ἐν τῷ λογιστηρίῳ (λογιστωριω) ἐστίν. οἱ βουλευταὶ εἶπ(ον)· ἐπειεικῶς (ἐπιεικῶς) ὁ πρύτανις. | [ὁ πρύτανις εἶπ(εν)· ὁ νόμ]ο̣ς κ[ε]λεύει πρὸ ἑξαμήνου τὸν μελλοπρύτανιν ὀνομάζεσθαι. ὑπομιμνήσκ[ω ὑ]μ̣ᾶ̣ς̣ τ̣[ -ca.?- ] || [- ca.20 - οἱ] β̣[ουλευ]τ̣αὶ εἶπ(ον)· μ̣ε̣τὰ σκέψεως ἡ ὀνομασία γείν[ε]ται τ[ -ca.?- ὁ πρύτανις εἶπ(εν)· -ca.?- ] | [- ca.17 -]υ̣ γὰρ ἐ̣ (ἐ<ν>) νόσῳ εἰμὶ καὶ τῆς πλευρᾶς [ῥ]έγχ̣ομαι, ὡς ἐπίστασθαι (ἐπίστασθε), κ̣α̣ὶ̣ [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣] ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣[ -ca.?- ] | [οἱ βουλευταὶ εἶπον· ̣ ̣ ̣]δ̣υ̣π̣ε̣ πρύτανι, εὐγεν[ὲς] πρύ[τ]ανι, ἔτι κάμε ὑ(ϋπερ)πὲρ ἡμῶν, κάμε ἄξια τοῦ ἐπάν̣[ω χρόνου. -ca.?- ] | [ὁ πρύτανις εἶπ(εν)· - ca.12 -] ̣ ἐστίν̣, καὶ ο̣ἱ̣ ἥμι̣[σ]υ̣ τούτ[ου] τοῦ μέρους [ὀ]φε̣[ί]λ̣[ον]τ̣ε̣ς̣ [ ̣ ̣] ̣ε̣ου̣τ̣ι̣ν̣[ ̣ ̣ ̣]δ̣εω̣[ -ca.?- οἱ βουλευταὶ εἶπ(ον)· -ca.?- ] | [- ca.21 - ὁ] πρύτανις εἶπ(εν)· ἐπειδὴ σ[ή]μερον πρόσκλητον β̣ο̣υ̣[λὴν -ca.?- ] || [- ca.24 -] ̣[- ca.11 -]α̣ι̣ π[ρόνο]ι̣αν π̣ο̣ι̣ήσηται ἅπαν τ̣ὸ̣ ̣[ -ca.?- ] | -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --.
Item added: July 16, 2020
Item modified: July 17, 2020
ID number: 31523
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=31523