A Yale Papyrus (PYale III 137) in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library III

This papyrus is a return of taxable private land for the village of Philadelphia dating from 216/217 CE. The register, divided into three parts, includes five entries of Alexandrian officials, followed by a dozen entries recording local magistrates and people of archon rank, and finally a list of all the private land owners in alphabetical order. The document assesses the amount of land retained by individuals in the village, the basis for which contributions to the armies of Emperor Caracalla were determined. In addition to a physical description of the papyrus this volume includes a discussion of the historical background and socioeconomic significance of the lists.