Land and Power in Ptolemaic Egypt
Land and Power in Ptolemaic Egypt
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This history of land tenure under the Ptolemies explores the relationship between the new Ptolemaic state and the ancient traditions of landholding and tenure. Departing from the traditional emphasis on the Fayyum, it offers a coherent framework for understanding the structure of the Ptolemaic state, and thus of the economy as a whole. Drawing on both Greek and demotic papyri, as well as hieroglyphic inscriptions and theories taken from the social sciences, Professor Manning argues that the traditional central state 'despotic' model of the Egyptian economy is insufficient. The result is a subtler picture of the complex relationship between the demands of the new state and the ancient, locally organized social structure of Egypt. By revealing the dynamics between central and local power in Egypt, the book shows that Ptolemaic economic power ultimately shaped Roman Egyptian social and economic institutions.
- Brings the Ptolemaic demotic papyri into a discussion of the Ptolemaic state for the first time
- Provides a discussion of the Greek administrative papyri
- Introduces social theory into the study of the papyri
Reviews & endorsements
"...one of the most important books on Ptolemaic studies in recent years and full of intriguing details. It is difficult to do it justice in such a short review." Bryn Mawr Classical Review
"this work provides a vigorous analysis of the existing evidence, and makes a significant contribution to studies on Ptolemaic Egypt." American Historical Review
Product details
June 2003Hardback
9780521819244
360 pages
229 × 152 × 24 mm
0.7kg
2 maps 13 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- List of maps, figures and tables
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Units of measure
- Maps
- Part I. Issues and Historical Background:
- 1. Issues and methodologies
- 2. The Ptolemaic state and its antecedents
- Part II. Regional Case Studies of Land Tenure:
- 3. The land tenure regime in Upper Egypt
- 4. The land tenure regime in the Fayyum depression
- Part III. Interpretation:
- 5. The Ptolemaic state, the land tenure regime, and economic power
- 6. The private transmission of land
- 7. Conclusions
- Appendices
- List of references
- Index of sources
- General index.
