Title: The purpose of P. Dionysia (P. Oxy. II 237) and its mysterious beginning
Author: Jakub Urbanik
Publication year: 2025
Pages: 251–282
DOI:
Abstract: This article presents a new hypothesis regarding the function the so-called Petition of Dionysia (P. Oxy. II 237 = P. Dionysia). The study re-examines the papyrus’ structure and its procedural context, focusing on its newly deciphered mysterious beginning (col. i) by Constantinos Balamoshev. The findings suggest that P. Dionysia be not the original petition but rather a copy, possibly official, produced during its administrative processing. I conjecture that the document represents a late procedural stage, possibly including the governor’s final decision and subsequent requests for execution.
Keywords: Dionysia, juristic papyrology, Roman administration of justice, court/judicial procedure, Roman Egypt, local law, Reichsrecht, Volksrecht.
