Michigan Papyrus Collection

Geographica

See where these cities are located on a map of Graeco-Roman Egypt here.

Alexandria- Situated along the coast of the Mediterranean, in Egypt, Alexandria became the cultural and economic center of the Hellenistic and Roman world. It was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, and almost immediately became a trade center between the Mediterranean and Egypt and eventually as far off as India. For information on it's citizens and their priveleges, click here.

Antinooupolis- Antinooupolis was founded by Hadrian in 130 AD in order to commemorate his recently deceased companion, Antinous. Antinooupolis was a Greek city, located south of the Fayum across from the city of Hermoupolis. For information on the citizens of Antinooupolis, click here.

Aphrodite- A village located in Upper Egypt, and a province of the Lower Thebais. The papyri in the Michigan Collection from Aphrodite come from the Archive of Dioskoros of Aphrodite, dating to the sixth century AD.

Arsinoiton Polis- Located in the heart of the Fayum, the Arsinoiton Polis was the capital of the Arsinoite nome. Originally called Crocodilopolis, ("town of the sacred Crocodiles"), the city was renamed Arsinoe in honor of Queen Arsinoe II. Later, the name was adapted to Arsinoiton Polis, or " the town of the citizens of Arsinoe."

Bacchias- Bacchias was a border town in the Arsinoite nome on the northern edge of the Fayum. Most of the papyri from Bacchias, in the Michigan Collection, come from the Archive of Horos and Tapekysis.

Karanis- Located south east of modern Cairo in the Fayum, Karanis serves as the basis for the Kelsey Museum's collection. Karanis provides us with a clearer picture of village life due to its state of preservation. For more information on Karanis, click here.

Koptos- Located along the Nile in Upper Egypt, Koptos was part of a trade route extending from the Nile, to the Red Sea, India and the Arabian Peninsula. The papyri in the Michigan Collection from Koptos come from the archive of Ploutogenia, wife of Paniskos.

Oxyrhynchus- Situated south of the delta, Oxyrhynchus was the capital of the Oxyrhynchite nome. Thus Oxyrhynchite citizens enjoyed metropolite status. The name "Oxyrhynchus" comes from the oxyrhynchus fish, believed to be the incarnate of the cities' patron god, Seth.

Philadelphia- Philadelphia was located along the eastern edge of the Fayum. The city was dedicated to Arsinoe, sister of Ptolemy II Philadelphus. The name "Philadelphia", reflects Arsinoe in her capacity as sister to Ptolemy II. Many of the papyri from Philadelphia come from the Zenon Archive, the estate manager of Apollonios.

Ptolemais- Ptolemais was a Greek city, located in Upper Egypt, founded by Ptolemy II Philadelphus. As a Greek city, Ptolemais and its citizens received such priveleges as citizen assemblies, councils, gymnasia, and a reduced rate in the poll tax.

Soknopaiou Nesos- Located in the north of the Fayum, Soknopaiou Nesos bordered the western desert. Soknopaiou Nesos possessed a customshouse in order to collect customs duties from those coming into the Arsinoite nome from the roads leading to the desert oases and Nile Delta.

Tebtynis- Excavations at Tebtynis, located in the southwest corner of the Fayum, were carried out by the University of California in 1899/1900. A number of papyri were unearthed and later sold on the antiquities market. During this time the University of Michigan acquired many papyri in the collection, today known as the Tebtynis Papyri.

Theadelphia- Like Philadelphia, Theadelphia was named in honor of Arsinoe II in her capacity as sister to Ptolemy II. Theadelphia was also situated opposite the border of Philadelphia, in the Fayum.