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Document Details : Title: Texts, Contexts, Subtexts and Interpretative Frameworks Subtitle: Beyond the Parochial and toward (Dynamic) Modeling of the Ptolemaic Economy Author(s): MANNING, J.G. Journal: Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists Volume: 42 Date: 2005 Pages: 235-256 DOI: 10.2143/BASP.42.0.3275122 Abstract : My concern in this paper is the historical interpretation of the Greek and demotic documentary papyri of the Ptolemaic period, the role of archaeology in the context of Ptolemaic economic history, and the application of social science theory towards an understanding of Ptolemaic Egypt. The papyri from Ptolemaic Egypt comprise the richest corpus for the study of the ancient economy and the formation and expansion of the Ptolemaic government, but using the information recorded in the texts in the wider context of state development, economic performance and institutional change presents enormous interpretive challenges. The texts must be grounded within a general understanding of the ancient state, its formation, and the manner in which social networks were interwoven within governmental institutions. I demonstrate how social science theory can expand our model of state development beyond the usual 'despotic' or 'predatory' model. The documentary papyri suggest some aspects of evolution, particularly in the Fayyum, but because of the accidental nature of survival, they do not represent a complete record. For such questions, archaeological survey may provide answers. Indeed, surveys outside of the Fayyum may demonstrate an expansion of arable land during the Ptolemaic period in areas without papyrological finds. Recently published Greek papyri, such as the Boethos archive, mention the founding of new cities in the south, although their locations frequently remain unknown. Detailed information about land reclamation and city foundation will allow us to assess the 'reach' of the Ptolemaic state with a greater degree of clarity. |
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