Notes on Two Rhodian Institutions

Abstract

The recent publication of a fragmentary Oxyrhynchus papyrus containing a deed of sale of a slave effected through a Rhodian bank, in the years between A.D. 238 and 244, sheds new light on the Rhodian banking system, of which hitherto little has been known, and it is worth while considering the information provided on this topic. The papyrus, carefully published by J. F. Oates, consists of two major fragments which do not join; fragment (a) contains all that survives of col. i, to which four hands contributed, and also the lower part of col. ii, while the right end of the upper part of col. ii is on the second fragment, (b), being in the same hand as the upper part of col. i; the lower part of col. ii is in the same three hands as is the lower part of col. i. The different hands represent the depositions of different persons. There is no lacuna between the end of fragment (a) and the beginning of fragment (b). These details are clearly visible on the photograph reproduced here by the kindness of the Managing Committee of the Egypt Exploration Society, to which I am much indebted. The papyrus is difficult to read in places, where the ink has faded, and the portions relevant to Rhodian matters are not all wholly clear.