A newly deciphered papyrus from the 2nd century CE offers unprecedented insights into the workings of Roman courts in the Middle East. Discovered in a cave in present-day Israel, this document is considered a unique find due to the scarcity of preserved papyri outside Egypt.
Archaeologist Anna Dolganov from the Austrian Archaeological Institute (ÖAI) described the papyrus as a significant contribution to understanding the legal practices of the Roman Empire during a turbulent period marked by two Jewish uprisings. The document was hidden by refugees and has survived the centuries, providing researchers with a rare glimpse into the legal proceedings of the time.
The papyrus details allegations against two individuals, Gadalias and Saulos, accused of forgery and tax evasion related to the fictitious sale of slaves. According to Dolganov, Saulos allegedly sold slaves without any monetary exchange, thereby evading the required taxes. Gadalias was linked to a notary and faced charges of document forgery.
Contextually, the document is situated between the Diaspora Revolt (115-117 CE) and the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-136 CE), suggesting potential motivations for the fraudulent activities, including attempts to return enslaved Jews to Judea for participation in the uprisings. The possibility of avoiding taxes through illegal slave trade across borders also emerges as a likely motive.
This discovery sheds light on the Roman administrative practices and the legal environment in the provinces, indicating that the Roman state maintained oversight over private affairs even in remote areas. The findings challenge previous assumptions about the implementation of Roman law in the Greek East, revealing a more organized and uniform legal structure than previously understood.
Dolganov emphasized that this papyrus not only enriches our knowledge of the Roman legal system but also illustrates the tensions and suspicions that permeated the region leading up to subsequent uprisings. The exact outcome of the legal proceedings remains unknown, yet the document serves as a testament to the precarious atmosphere of the time.