Select Papyri, Volume II: Public Documents

This volume presents papyri relating to public business of various kinds in Egypt from the middle of the 3rd century BCE to 710 CE, thus covering affairs in that country first under the rule of the Greek Ptolemaic kings, and subsequently as a Roman province. The earliest examples date from the reign of King Ptolemy II Philadelphus and the latest from the governance by the Arabs following their conquest of Egypt in 639–641 CE.

The papyri selected were all sent by persons in office (from king, Roman emperor, or governor downwards) or addressed to them or sent for their information. The categories included are:

• Codes and Regulations: 6 examples
• Edicts and Orders: 26 examples
• Public Announcements: 6 examples
• Reports of Meetings: 3 examples
• Official Acts and Inquiries: 5 examples
• Judicial Business: 18 examples
• Petitions and Applications: 44 examples
• Declarations to Officials: 30 examples
• Appointments and Nominations: 7 examples
• Tenders and Contracts: 19 examples
• Receipts: 26 examples
• Orders for Payment: 6 examples
• Accounts and Registers or Lists: 12 examples
• Letters: 16 examples

Notes on the systems of dating and of money in Egypt are provided, as well as a glossary of technical terms.

The three-volume Loeb Classical Library edition of Select Papyri also includes a volume of poetry and one of private documents.