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Life in Egypt under Roman Rule
This classic book by leading historian Naphtali Lewis describes the economy and society of Roman Egypt from the ground level up, using the testimony of papyri. The unique climate of Egypt has preserved tens of thousands of records, covering a period of some 4,000 years from 3000 BCE to 1000 CE. Focusing on just part of this period (30 BCE to 285 CE), this book offers the perfect introduction to the possible uses of such material. The author takes a thematic approach, discussing the various areas of daily life into which papyri offer unique insights. From the production of food, to “works and days of Gods and Goblins� and “rendering unto Caesar,� Naphtali Lewis uses quotations from the sources combined with an encyclopedic knowledge of the cultural context to bring a seemingly obscure class of evidence to life.
- GenresHistoryEgyptNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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January 4, 2023It is books like these that make it possible for unscholars like me write historical fiction.*
My Eye of Isis novels are set in the time of Cleopatra and the research for this book comes from papyrus records buried beneath millenia of sand referring to the title subject, Egypt when it ceased to be a client state of Rome's and became just another province under a Roman prefect. Two hundred pages long, divided into 10 chapters, superb indices, and translations of passages from individual papyri lend color and life to the narrative and a real feeling for Pax Romana on the south side of the Mediterranean. I especially enjoyed this letter from a student in Alexandria writing home about the inadequacy of his tutor.
I have rejected Theon. Yes, I too have formed a low opinion of him because he is so irresponsible by nature...realizing that there is no benefit to be had from [any available] tutor just paying steep fees for nothing, I am relying upon my own devices. Write me quickly what you think...I'm sure I'll do just fine, the gods willing, just listening to the public lectures...
I think the gods were willing and he did do just fine.
There's a farmer's almanac and a list of tolls for travelers (a road toll for a ship's captain was 8 drachma, where the toll for a prostitute was 108 drachma, which says something about how the toll keepers judged their different incomes) and spells for restraining hostile spirits. An artaba was a measure of grain equal to about 1 1/6 bushels. An aroura was a measure of land equal to about half an acre or a third of a hectare. Interestingly, there is no mention of fees paid doctors and lawyers although both are very much present in people's lives as demonstrated in the records. At this rate I'm never going to be able to figure out what Keren charges for a fee.
Fun for the reader and infinitely useful to the writer. Bravo!
*See also Adrienne Mayor's Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs: Unconventional Warfare in the Ancient World and Laurence Bergreen's Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu.
My Eye of Isis novels are set in the time of Cleopatra and the research for this book comes from papyrus records buried beneath millenia of sand referring to the title subject, Egypt when it ceased to be a client state of Rome's and became just another province under a Roman prefect. Two hundred pages long, divided into 10 chapters, superb indices, and translations of passages from individual papyri lend color and life to the narrative and a real feeling for Pax Romana on the south side of the Mediterranean. I especially enjoyed this letter from a student in Alexandria writing home about the inadequacy of his tutor.
I have rejected Theon. Yes, I too have formed a low opinion of him because he is so irresponsible by nature...realizing that there is no benefit to be had from [any available] tutor just paying steep fees for nothing, I am relying upon my own devices. Write me quickly what you think...I'm sure I'll do just fine, the gods willing, just listening to the public lectures...
I think the gods were willing and he did do just fine.
There's a farmer's almanac and a list of tolls for travelers (a road toll for a ship's captain was 8 drachma, where the toll for a prostitute was 108 drachma, which says something about how the toll keepers judged their different incomes) and spells for restraining hostile spirits. An artaba was a measure of grain equal to about 1 1/6 bushels. An aroura was a measure of land equal to about half an acre or a third of a hectare. Interestingly, there is no mention of fees paid doctors and lawyers although both are very much present in people's lives as demonstrated in the records. At this rate I'm never going to be able to figure out what Keren charges for a fee.
Fun for the reader and infinitely useful to the writer. Bravo!
*See also Adrienne Mayor's Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs: Unconventional Warfare in the Ancient World and Laurence Bergreen's Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu.
November 4, 2007
This book formed some of the most important bases of research for my upcoming novel THE WISEMAN RETURNS. While the ancient Egyptian period is well-documented (including the Greek period), Rome's usurpation of Alexandria and Egypt's breadbasket is less celebrated. Contains actual letters, court documents, and translations of household writings that proved invaluable for me as a historian. Fascinating.
September 26, 2019
يالها من رحلة في فترة من فترات التاريخ المصري بلسان المصريين أنفسهم وليس بلسان كاتب يشاء أن يصورهم بصورة معينة كما يفعل أحيانا كتاب التاريخ فلقد اعتمد كاتب هذا الكتاب على أوراق البردي وهي المحررات الشخصية للسكان.
عشت معهم آلامهم وأحزانهم وأفراحهم وثوراتهم ولامست تشابها بأحفادهم الآن في تمتعهم بذكاء ايجابي في اسلوب سخريتهم من حكامهم الرومان كما الحال الآن مع السلطة في مصر وخلافه مما يبدع فيه المصريون .
عشت معهم آلامهم وأحزانهم وأفراحهم وثوراتهم ولامست تشابها بأحفادهم الآن في تمتعهم بذكاء ايجابي في اسلوب سخريتهم من حكامهم الرومان كما الحال الآن مع السلطة في مصر وخلافه مما يبدع فيه المصريون .
March 10, 2024
Solidly interesting and detailed.
February 12, 2014
The author has done an amazing job in extricating the daily life of Roman Egypt from papyri found there. The subjects covered included coming of romans to Egypt, the social classes, towns and villages, labour, food, administration and cultural exchange in Egypt during those 300 years. The language is simple and straight-forward including direct quotes from some of the papyri. I loved the book, its what I expected from the title. It would have been even better if photos were used throughout the context of the discussion.
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