The Oxyrhynchus Papyri vol. LXXXVII

This volume includes editions of fifty-eight papyri and one text on parchment, including three theological texts and a collection of short biographies of eminent Romans. It also includes fragments of two papyrological rarities, the historical work of Aristodemus and the astrological poetry ascribed to Manetho, and illustrates social and economic realities of late antique estates.

Format: Hardback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2023
Publisher: Egypt Exploration Society

This extensive collection encompasses a remarkable array of fifty-eight papyri and one text on parchment. Among the theological texts, three stand out as particularly noteworthy. Papyrus 5575 is an early copy of sayings attributed to Jesus, which partly correspond to the canonical gospels of Matthew and Luke, as well as to the apocryphal gospel of Thomas. Jesus is identified as the speaker in both Papyrus 5576 and Papyrus 5577, where Mary is addressed. These two pieces can be loosely categorized as "Gnostic," with the latter possibly aligning with the Valentinian belief system. In terms of new literary items, Papyrus 5584 stands out as the most extensive. It is a collection of concise biographies of prominent Romans, composed approximately a century before the renowned Greek historian Plutarch. It is possible to trace remnants of Plutarch's own Homeric Studies in Papyrus 5585. Early Greek philosophy is represented by Papyrus 5583, which consists of a full column of what appears to be Antiphons On Truth. The extant literary texts are fragmented remnants of two rare papyrological treasures: the historical work of Aristodemus (Papyrus 5586–7) and the astrological poetry attributed to Manetho (Papyrus 5588–90). The documentary section provides valuable insights into the social and economic realities of late antique estates, particularly focusing on the estate of the Apions. It offers fresh evidence regarding the management of wine distributions, the pricing of equipment and materials, and the more ordinary interactions between the Apion estate and monasteries.

Weight: 730g
Dimension: 260 x 197 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780856982521