Apollonios, the Dioiketes as a Woolen Textiles Dealer

Apollonios, the Dioiketes as a Woolen Textiles Dealer

Dr/ Ragab Salama Omran

Cairo University

Despite the fact that the Ptolemies monopolized certain economic and industrial activities1, private enterprises were also allowed to flourish and were able to make themselves extremely rich and powerful. Apollonios, the dioiketes (finance minister) of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-246 B.C) was one of the major entrepreneurs of Ptolemaic Egypt who invested a large amount of money in all the available economic activities. He held his office as a finance minster, namely the manager of the economic affairs of the king and therefore the kingdom for about fifteen years2. This long term at his office gave him more power and authority for the benefit of his personal projects3. Thus, he is figured in our sources as a landlord of large estates, a major dealer in trade, and an owner of various industries. The textile industry represents only one of the industrial fields in which he was interested. As we shall see, our sources show him as an importer of raw wool and as an introducer of new kinds of sheep into Egypt. He also appears as an owner of two major factories of woolen-textiles. Nothing shows his attention in furthering his activities in this area more than his attempt to acclimatize new kinds of wool bearing animals in Egypt. It is the aim of this

(1) The economic policy of the Ptolemies practiced the monopoly of crucial products such

as oil and linen. Manning 2003,p 142; Rev.Laws, cols 87-107. (2) In 246 BC, after Ptolemy III Eurgetes had succeeded to the throne, it appears that the

official and perhaps the physical life of Apoolonios ended therefore with a catastrophe, king Eurgetes having deprived him of his commission and his fortune. Rostovetzeff 1922,p 20.

.82نفتالى لويس؛ اليونانيون فى مصر البطلمية،ص )(3

====================================Dr/Ragab Salama Omran

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paper to investigate Apollonios' activities in the field of the wool-textile industry.

Improving the wool of Egypt The Egyptians did not care much for wool, they preferred

linen dresses, especially a tunic thrown on legs called calasiris; over this they had a white woolen garment thrown on afterwards4. The Greeks, on the other hand, wore and admired woolen clothes, thus there was a demand for wool on the part of the Greek settlers in Egypt. In time, the Egyptian wool neither sufficed nor met their demand, so there was a need to have more raw wool to meet this need. This point is confirmed, as far as our subject is concerned by Apollonios, who tried to obtain the raw wool by two means: ♦ First: Importing raw wool from Syria and Asia minor

A paper 5found in the Zenon6 correspondence related to the customs of Pelusium registers the import of raw wool from Syria for the benefit of Apollonius and others7.

♦ Second: Introducing new kinds of sheep into Egypt as his master Ptolemy II Phildephus did8. So did Apollonios, on

(4) Herodout; II,81. (5 ) P.Cairo Zen 59012= Austin 1981,237, ( 259 B C). It seems likely that Apollonios had

lists recording the result of trading expeditions to Syria and Asia Minor, in the early period of Zenon's career. P.Mich.inv. 3080; Recto, (About259 B.C.) .

(6) Zenon was the manager of the privates estates of Apollonios. Zenon son of Agreophon was born approximately 285 BC at Caunos in Caria (now located on the southwestern coast of modern Turkey). Zenon is still alive until perhaps 229 BC, He came to the Fayum in 256 B.C, and stayed on in the area after leaving Apollonius' service in 248B.C.; http://www.lib.umich.edu/pap/exhibits/snapshots/Zenon%20Archive/zenon.htm

(7)Also we know that Hieron II – the tyrant of Syracouse- sent 20.000 talents (over 60 tons) of wool to Philadelphus of Egypt in his famous ship, the "Syracosia" Forbes 1987,p12.

(8) In fact Ptolemy II Phildephus showed great interest in collecting fine sheep and rare animals. Athenaeus(,the Deipnosophists V,201c) revealed that Philadelphus possessed about three hundred Arabian sheep, thirty Ethopian and twenty Euboean sheep, and other rare animals. Another example of the effort of the philadelphus to acclimatize new animals is the letter of Tubias the sheikh of the Arabs in Palestine, informing the king that he is sending him some horses, donkeys, horses and animals cross-bred by a donkey and a wild ass. Rostovtzeff 1922,p 114.

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his estate in Philadelphia and the southern part of the Memphite nome, in order to get a finer quality of wool. To fulfill this target; teams of shepherds looked after these herds, and some of those in charge were perhaps imported with the sheep9. Apollonios seemed to have achieved considerable success in introducing new breeds into Egypt such as:

1. Milesian sheep Apollonios possessed a very valuable and admirable flock

of the Milesian sheep. This kind of sheep is well known for the high quality of its wool; as a result, the Greeks highly appreciated the fine clothes produced from Milesian wool10. Accordingly, the fine quality of wool demanded great care from the shepherds while raising the Milesian sheep. That's why, their fleeces were covered from birth with leather to protect them from heat and from being torn or hurt while moving on thorny desert lands11.

Apollonios cared for this kind of sheep so he not only imported them, but he also brought the shepherds who were well acquainted with them from Asia Minor12. He sent specialized shepherds to his estate in order to teach the local shepherds the best ways to care for them. We still have a letter13 from Apollonios to his two agents Zenon and Panakestor14 in which he says that he is sending to Philadelphia a certain Maron, probably a Greek from Asia Minor, an expert in sheep breeding, so local shepherds should work according to his instructions

(9) Thompson 1988,pp 51-52. (10) Pliny NH, VIII,190; CAH VII, Part I,p217. (11) Rostovtzeff 1960, p125. (12 ) P.Cairo-Zen 59195,59430. (13 ) P.Cair.-Zen. 2 59195, ( 255/ 254 BC); C.F: PSI 538,( 3rd century B.C) (14) Pankestor, an Egyptian farmer, undertook the administration of the estate of

Apollonios in Philadelphia for a short period between Octrober - November 257 B.C . http://www.trismegistos.org/arch/archives/arch_paris.pdf,p19.


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because he was entrusted with the task of taking care of Milesian sheep. Apollonios says in his letter to his two Agents Zenon and Panakestor: “I sent you Maron to be responsible for the Milesian Sheep, hand him over the sheep and the sheep enclosure and any other material. Introduce him to the shepherds to work under his orders. Give him also four boys to train”. [a)pesta/l]k?a?men Ma/rwna e)pis[tath/sonta] [tw½n] Milhsi¿wn proba/twn. ta/ t[e pro/bata] [ouÅn au)]ta\ para/dote tou/twi kaiì to\[n probatw½na] [kaiì ei¹] aÃ?llh kataskeuh\ u(pa/rx[ei, pro\j tou\j] [de\ poim]e/naj susth/sate oÀpwj u(p[hretw½sin]. [do/te] de\ kaiì tw½n paidari¿wn ta\ e [ c ? ] [toiÍj poim]e/si te/ssara {84}8 oÀpwj manqa/nws[in]. So Apollonios' target of sending Maron was caring for Milesian sheep and training the youngsters of the estate in Philadelphia the best methods for rearing this kind of sheep.

There were large numbers of Milesian sheep raised in the pasturelands of Fayum around Philadelphia and in the countryside around Memphis. It may be suggested that the local shepherds of these two places came under the general control of Apollonios and were obliged to provide him with the wool taken from their herds for the operation of his textile factories15.

The Milesian sheep, perhaps, reached the Memphite nome together with settlers from Naucratis especially this particular breed are recorded in Naucratis earlier in the reign of Philadelphus. Or, like so much else, Apollonios had them imported to the area directly from Asia Minor or from Greece16.

(15) Thompson 1988,p 45. (16 ) Thompson 1988,p 52; Rostovtzeff 1922,p 180 : The same kind of sheep was

mentioned in an account of the payments of different taxes by some holders of military plots This indicates that that kind spread on a large scale in Egypt for its high value in its wool. P . Petrie III,109, 250-247 BC..


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2. Arabian sheep Import of sheep famous for its fine wool was not only

limited to Asia Minor or to Greece, but also to Arabia. Arabian sheep were known in Egypt well before the arrival of the Greeks to Egypt17. It is therefore natural that Apollonios imported Arabian sheep and goats. In addition, he also managed to bring specialized Arab shepherds with the herds of sheep and goats18.

Two famous shepherds Nouriaos, and Addaios with Aramaic names were closely connected with sheep and woolen textiles of Apollonios. Nouriaos was one of the Memphite shepherds. In a letter from Zenon archive, a certain Artemidoros (cf. Cair-Zenon1,59068 & 59241) informs someone called Mys to hand over the sheep to Nouraios and show him the hay store (the feeding place of the herds), and order the guards to keep the sheep under observation and close attention.(ta\ pro/bata para/doj Nourai¿wi, kaiì xo/rtou o6u Â6 aÄn lamba/nhite ei¹j ta\ kth/nh di¿dot?e? a?u)?tw½i su/mbolon.su/ntacon de\ toiÍjfulaki¿taij diathreiÍn au)ta /)19.

For an understanding of the role of Addaios, we have a document in which he wrote to Zenon informing him that he acquired tar to prevent scab and make the sheep beautiful. (th\n pi¿ssan hÁn?!![ c? ] ei¹j ta\ pro/bata eÃfato mh\ eÃxein. nu=n ouÅn k?a[lw½j poih/seij? ])20. It seems that he cared for the prevent scab that affects badly upon the fleeces.

The Arabs,whom were introduced into Egypt by Apollonios, lived in the estate of Apollonios and they seem either

(17) Rostovtzeff 1922,p114. (18 ) P.S.I 4, 367(250/249BC); 377(250/249BC); P. Mich- Zen 67; P.S.I 4,388 (244/ B.C). (19) P. Cair- Zenon I 59136(256B.C).cf.;Mich-.Zenon.35. (20) P.S.I 5, 487(258/257B.C) recto.


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hired herds for money21 or took some fixed money for rearing them for their owners. Most characteristic is a letter from Eudemos to Zenon. He asked Zenon to exact the rent of the sheep from the Arabs who were keeping possession of both the wool and the sheep22. In some cases they were given pasturelands for their herds of goats and sheep, but under the control of Zenon. A letter from the nomarch Damis to Zenon proved that fact23.

Occasionally, they may have caused some troubles when they sent rough and dirty fleeces as happened once with Zenon himself, who complained for this reason. Zenon informs someone named Isingos that the Arabian fleeces which he has received are so rough and dirty that he has sent back with Herakleides. ( ta\ lhfqe/nta para\ sou= eÃria ¹Ara/bia tele/wj hÅn r(upara/ te kaiì traxe/a: dio a)pes?ta/lkame/n soi komi¿zonta ¸Hraklei¿dhn)24.

Management of Herds Owing to the various kinds of sheep that Apollonios

imported and the significant numbers of herds which were reared in his estates, the matter of caring for them was not an easy matter. Four paragraphs in the agenda of Apollonios’ steward Zenon were devoted to this topic25. Large herds of sheep

(21 ) P.Cair- Zenon 3, 59340 (246 B.C). (22 ) P.Cair- Zenon 3, 59433,(3rd Century B.C). (23 ) P.S.I 4, 367(250/249BC); Rostovezeff 1922, p 113. (24 ) P.Cair-Zenon 2, 59287,(250BC). (25)The complicated character of the business of Zenon is depicted in two papyri (P.S.I

4,429 and430) hastily written and without dated, constituting the agenda of Zenon for the next day and noted the most important matters only. In the first(PSI 429) we read: (1)To ask Herodotus about the goats wool( ¸Hrodo/tou puqe/sqai periì tw½n ai¹gei¿wn trixw½n; 2)To ask Ameinias whether he had sold the mina(of wool probably) ( ¹Ameini¿ou w¨j a)pe/doto th\n mna=n ) ; 7) To write to Jason that he should load the wool and to take care that Dionysius should ship it when cleaned (¹Ia/soni gra/yai ta\ eÃria e)mbale/sqai kaiì katagageiÍn Dionu/sion

e)strouqisme/na ); 8) about the fourth part of the Arabian sheep (tw½n a)rabi¿wn to\ te/tarton me/roj). Rostovetzeff 1922,p 71.


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and goats are mentioned in the correspondence of Zenon repeatedly. All of them were raising on pasturelands of the different villages situated in the territory of the estate, and of some villages of the Memphite nome26. These correspondences show how much care was given for the proper management from the part of Zenon and his agents. So we can imagine that there was a department in both Philadelphia and Memphite nome for this purpose. In the Memphite nome, someone called Hermias undertook the overall control and he kept careful accounts of additions and losses to the flock27.

In Philadelphia, moreover, the management was in the hands of two persons named Jason and Herodotus28. Under those two managers regular herdsmen were working. A report written by them is a very instructive document of this series29. In this report, one of the herdsmen stated the sources of his income and expenses. His income is derived from:

a) Payments of other people's cattle pasturing on the pasturelands situated in Apollonios’ estate.

b) The sale of young animals. c) The sale of raw wool.

While his expenses were the salaries of the herdsmen, the purchase of hay, and food for the dogs30.

(26 ) P.S.I 368(250/249BC);377 (250/249BC);,346(255/254BC); 381(248/247BC); P.Lond.

Inv. 2084. (27) P.Cair- Zenon 3,59429;Pap.lug.bat 20,35;p.Wisc2.78(=Date: 248BC, Philadelphia

P.Cair-Zenon 3, 59328(= SB 5,7686): An account drawn up by Hermias, a goatherd. He leased a large number of goats from Zenon, paying him a yearly rent of four obols and one kid for each goat. The remaining kids became his own property, which he could dispose of as he pleased, and he sold for his own profit the milk and cheese obtained from the goats, and perhaps also the hair, which was used for making a coarse cloth. The balance in his favour is ten drachmae)&P.Cairo- Zen 59176; Thompson 1988,p 43.

(28 ) Esp.,P.S.I 368(250/249BC);360(252/251B.C);372(250/249 B.C),&429(3rdcentury B.C).

(29 ) P.S.I 4, 368, ( 246/245 BC). (30 ) Rostovtzeff 1922,pp 112-113.


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In addition, we can imagine that the work was carefully divided among some agents with limited tasks, for example, one cared for the herds whose main task was to prevent scab in order to keep the fleeces clean and smooth31. Another for supplying food, while a third person was responsible for shearing the sheep and packing of the wool .

More lights are thrown on the work done by those agents by an interesting account of Hermon, the shepherd. He listed what he had spent on the shearing of the Arabian and Milesian sheep belonging to the estate and the packing of the wool, besides some other small expenses.

(lo/goj wÒn a)nh/lwken àErmwn ei¹j ta\ pro/bata toiÍj

ti¿llousin ta\ u(podi¿fqeradraxma\jŸ 2 o)bolou\j 5ŸtoiÍjkei¿rousin ta\ ¹Ara/bia draxma\jŸ 3 o)bolou\jŸ 2 yi¿aqoi e)n oiâj ta\ eÃria ˆta\ ¹Ara/bia‰ ta\ ¹Ara/bia sunete/qh o)bolou\j 3Ÿ kaiì ei¹j ta\ Milh/sia ki¿stai 7 draxma\jŸ 4 o)bolo\nŸ 1 32.

Sizes of Herds Undoubtedly, the volume of the flocks of Apollonios was

large. He possessed large flocks included around 536 of sheep and 115 of goats33. This number of sheep and goats needed more pens. Apollonios ordered a certain Nikon to take some sheep from Artemidoros. Nikon wrote to Zenon informing him that they have no sheep-pens and to give an order for the supply of building materials for building some pens 34.

(31) P.S.I 5, 487(257B.C), (32 ) P.Cair-Zenon 3, 59430(= P.Edgar 107, (3rd century BC)). (33 ) P.S.I 4, 377. (34 ) P.Cair.Zenon. 1, 59068, (May 257 B.C.)


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Zenon always added new breeds to the estate. This is evidenced by some documents in which Zenon or one of his subordinates appeared as buyer of some new sheep35, more evidence comes through a letter from a certain Phanias, the agent of Zenon, reveals that he bought rare sheep for a reasonable price (81 sheep for 64 drachmae) for the estate of Apollonios36.

Apparently Apollonios himself was interested in adding new herds to the flocks at Philadelphia, once he wrote to Zenon asking him to list the cattle, female and male, so that he may buy as many more as are needed and send them to Philadelphia 37.

A lively Memorandum38 from Apollonios to Zenon recorded the dues paid on sheep and goats in the district of Philadelphia followed by a list of personal names. In this memorandum, Apollonios recorded 6371 sheep and 206 goats and a list of the various flocks. Some of these flocks were sacred sheep belonging to the temples; others were ascribed to crown farmers, cavalrymen, the peasants, or to the influential persons such as Zenon, Nikias, or Sostratos, son of Kleon. The memorandum registered the payment of the pasture tax for which- perhaps- Apollonios undertook to collect in the area as a finance minister who was interested in collecting the taxes and the revenues of the state. The list of personal names included both Arabs and an interpreter named Limnios39.

The Memorandum also, refers to two matters of interest. Firstly: Apollonios here acted as the finance minister not personality. Secondly: Zenon's position under Apollonios probably brought him in contact with many opportunities to procure a profit for himself.

(35 ) P.Cair.Zenon. 3, 59429. (36 ) P.Lond. Inv 2308 cf P.S.I 438&539. (37 ) P.Cair-Zenon. 2, 59166(255B.c) (38) Cair- Zenon 3, 59394,1-27. (39) Thompson 1988,pp44-45.


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Apollonios' two factories at Memphis and Philadelphia It had been proved that Apollonios had owned two

factories of woolen textiles at Philadelphia and Memphis 40. It is likely that the main source for the manufacture of both two factories came from the fleeces of the sheep raised in Fayum and in the Memphite nome41. The two wool factories were under the general control of Zenon, so long as he was the manager of Apollonios’ private estates, while each factory had its own manager.

1. Memphis The wool factory at Memphis was under the direct

control of Addaios, and staffed mainly by girls, with some men whose names were like Addaios, Zênodôros and Iollas, these men would seem from their names to be Semites. They were probably imported by Apollonios together with their trade. It is thought that there was a number of the Jews inhabited Memphis under the service of Zenon42.

The manager Addaios sent a letter43 to Zenon in which he gave some interesting details about the work there and about the attempts to teach new processes. The letter revealed that the factory was run probably on the Greek model by using the labor of slave girls (παιδισκαι- paidiskai ) whom Zenon bought

(40) The government authorized the ownership of woolen textiles factories to private

persons as it is attested from an application (P.Enteuxies,5 ) dated to 244-243 BC, from Crocodilopolis in which two persons presented to the king in order to have the permission to rebuilt their factory. The document hence, proved private persons ownership of the woolen textiles factories.

(41) Forbes 1956,pp 14-16. (42) P.S.I 7, 854, 258/257B.C Philadelphia; P.Cair Zenon 59080(= P.Mich1,19). 257

B.C.,Philadelphia; Another reference to the Semitic connection came from a letter from Zenon to Krotos. in this letter: Zenon orders Krotos to obtain- as soon as possible- twenty five minas of wool from Pasis the Jew and to give them to Artemidoros for the making of a mattress, which was to be at least long enough for a seat for two and to have a double front. P. Cair-Zenon 59241(=SB3,6991; P.Edg108) ,Philadelphia 253 B.C.

(43) P.S.I 7, 854, 258/257B.C, Philadelphia.


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probably from Syria and Asia Minor and called them the clockmakers(kasshph¯triai)44.However, the girls’ names suggest that they were Greek slaves45. It is thought that slaves' labor was free in the textile industry, as a result of the obvious extension of the Greek practice of capital investment in slaves for labor in handcraft shops into the newly founded Hellenstic industrial centers of Egypt and western Asia46.

In fact, the presence of the slave establishments of this type came from the world of Greece and not of Egypt. At the same time, they were a product of the flourishing urban life of the new world which the Greeks created in the Hellenistic East47.

It seems possible that the system of the work in the factory depended mainly on these paidiskai . They were mentioned in a number of documents related to the factory.

In a Letter from Apollonios to Zenon, Apollonios approves the distribution of Milesian wool to the slave-girls paidiskai in Memphis, and tells Zenon to give orders to let them have as much as they need48. Probably, they informed Apollonios that they needed wool, so Apollonios gave his order to Zenon to deliver them as soon as possible to Memphis. Slave - girls paidiskai, it seems, had some kind of freedom and responsibility in connection with the work. One of them named Sphragis49 might travel south to Sophthis to collect more wool.

(44 ) Rostvtzeff 1922,p 115. (45) At most only three girls’ names were known: Bia in P. Mich-Zenon 16& P.Cair-

Zenon 59080; Sphregis in P.Cair-Zenon 59145( 256 B.C ;Philadelphia) and Kassia in P.S.I 7, 854 & P.Cair-Zenon 59699,Cf., P.Cair-Zenon 59142; 59191;P.Ryl 556 (= SB 5, 7639) , 257B.C,Philadelphia.

(46) Westermann 1985, pp 30- 31. (47) Thompson 1988, p 53. (48) P.Cair-Zenon 2,59142(256B.C);c.f.,P.S.I 605(=SB 22,15276), 3rd cen.B.C, hiladelphia. (49) This slave girl was bought by Zenon from A duplicate deed of sale, attested by six

witnesses perhaps, she was a Babylonian. The seller was Nikanor, the buyer Zenon, and the price paid was fifty drachmae. The sale took place in the land of Ammon, in a place called Birta. Several of the persons mentioned in the text are said to be cleruchs belonging to the troops of Toubias, an Ammonite chief of the great Toubiad family.=


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On her travel, she sent Zenon a letter in which she informed him that she was robbed of some wool at Sophthis on her way from Philadelphia to Memphis. She also added that her outer garment was destroyed and the guards of the village tried to help her and inspected the matter.(eÃdwka/ soi kaiì t[o\]pro/?t?eron eÃ?nte?u

c?i?n per?[iì] wÒn peri 6ekophn {5ˆk?a?t‰ekoph?n}5

p[or]eu <o>me/nh {4poreu?m?enh}4 ei¹j Sw½fq?in th\n e)n tw½i

Memfit?h?i? e)p' [eÃ]ria. eÃstin de\ to\ kaq' eÁn wÒn a)pw¯lesai¸ma/tia 2 draxmw½n12 Ÿ kaiì eÃria draxmw½n 2Ÿkaiì

xalkou=Ÿ draxmw½n2 Ÿgi¿nontaiŸ draxmai16 Ÿì.de/omai

ouÅn sou, ei¹ kai¿ soi dokeiÍ, e)leh=sai¿ me gra/yaj?Leonti¿skwi tw½i a)rxifulaki¿thi me gra/yajLeonti¿skwitw½i a)rxifulaki¿thi e)piskeya/menon th\n lei¿an a)podou=nai.

a)nh?gge/lkasi de\ kaiì e)moiì oÀti eu(rh/kasiŸ50.

Another document 51 included a list of the female textile- workers from unknown province and dated to the second or the first century B.C. The list may contain about forty workers who were probably slaves, and all with Greek names, alphabetically arranged. We assume that the document related to the factory at Memphis who adopted the system of the Greek slave girls.

The work in the factory of Memphis was twofold, meaning that both spinning and weaving took place here side by side. The female workers would spin the wool, while weaving was mainly the province of the men though we know from elsewhere that female slaves did the same52.The work on the looms was hard,

=P.Cair.Zen. 1 59003(= SB III,6709) , 26April- 24May 259 B.C. (50 ) P.Cair-Zenon 2, 59145(=SB3, 6731;P.Edg25), 256BC.. (51) BGU. X, 1942 (= SB10,10209), 3rd century B.C, from unknown Location. (52) P.Oslo 140, 3rd century B.C, Tebtynis; Thompson 1988,p54.


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so the men could not afford to leave looms. This is evidenced from a letter from Iollas the weaver to Zenon. Iollas had fallen into disgrace and received a severe beating on the job when he clashed with Addaios53. Therefore, he had intended to run away to Zenon for protection, but his fellow - worker Zenodoros had prevented him and made him write a letter instead because he could not afford to leave the looms. So he put his complaint in writing. In this complaint, he accused Bia -the spokesman for the girls- of running riots against him and causing him some problems though he had been severely flogged by Addaios not by Bia. The document reveals that there was a strict system in the factory which was run by Addaios.

Concerning the number of the staff working in the factory and the scale of its production, not much is known. Only three girls and three men's names are known. For the scale, the factory is often described as large but whereas elsewhere in Ptolemaic Egypt large textile worked staffed by slave girls certainly did not exist54 . Besides the workers known by name, the only possible indication of the scale of this particular enterprise is the expenditure by Addaios55 at early stages. He spent a sum of 14 drachmas to buy baskets for the girls (taiÍj paidi¿skaij ei¹j ta\ eÃria ka/laqoi 14 draxmh\Ÿ.

No doubt that this sum is high. According to Dorthy Thompson56, if we supposed that a wool basket cost half an obol, so at that price a number of 168 wool baskets would be bought with 14 drachmas. When we assume that each girl had a wool

(53 ) P.Cair-Zenon 1, 59080, (About 21st July, 257 BC). (54) It is worthy note that Queen Cleopatra had a factory for woolen goods in Alexandria.

Orosus (VI.19,20-21) noted that Octvian killed a notable senator called Ovinus for being ashamed of working as a manger of the woolen factory of Cleopatra.

(55) P.Ryl 4, 556, (=SB5,7639), 257B.C,Philadelphia. (56) Thompson 1988, p 54.


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basket, so the factory would have about 168 slave girls working there.

2. Philadelphia At Philadelphia too, in Fayum, Apollonios had a

weaving factory under the general control of Zenon. Concerning this factory, there is a number of points of particular interest. ♦ First: The techniques of Carpet making were probably those

of Egypt. Therefore, carpets in large numbers and various kinds were produced in Philadelphia. Zenon Papyri mentioned some kinds suchas theamphitapôn (a¹mfita¯pon) carpets, which were made reversible with pile on both sides57. In addition; another high quality kind called psilotapides (yilota¯pidej), it was too smoothly woven to be dyed58. In some cases, the dying process cost three drachmas (ba/yai th\n yilotapi¿da draxmaiìŸ3)59. Yet, there were other kinds, in which some dealers specialized like the multicolored carpets. Teôs, an Egyptian embroiderer ( poikiltej )was one of those who expertise in making them in Philadelphia60. Besides, the production of carpets, heirlooms might be reworked for use again61. Although in carpet making Egyptians predominated, immigrant Greeks dominated in making both men and women garments. A letter to Zenon proved that two Greek brothers were specialized in making such garments62.

♦ Second: The factory was under Zenon's control. This

(57 ) P.Cairo-Zenon 3,59484(=P.S.I 4, 442), 3rd century B.C,Philadelphia. (58) P.S.I 6, 593, 3rd century B.C.,Philadelphia. (59) P. Ryl 4, 556, (=SB5,7639), 257B.C,Philadelphia.. (60) P.Lond.2055, 3rd century B.C, Philadelphia. (61) Cair-Zenon 3, 59423, 3rd century, Philadelphia. (62) P.S.I 4. 341, 6-7(256/255B.C.); Thompson 1988,,p 55.


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explains why Apollonios gave an order to Zenon to pay for the carpets out of the money received from the sale of a certain cargo of Heliopolite wine at Philadelphia63. In addition, Zenon- as the controller of the factory- allowed the workers to send him letters, reports and even complaints about the work system in the factory. He received a letter64 from a carpet weaver named Pais who seems likely was the chief of the workmen. Pais disclosed some means of fraud that his fellow-workman Nechthembes committed, and by whom Zenon was cheated. He also presented some proofs of the dishonesty of his fellow such as damping the carpet to make it heavier, curtailing the length and breadth of the carpets, so that they are too small for a couch; moreover, putting some additional material into the scale when they were to be weighed. Pais added that Nechthembes has corrupted the other weavers. Zenon authorized persons to have the carpets made then pay afterwards. Someone called Nikandros asked him to have three smooth carpets made, promising him to pay for them afterwards65.

♦ Third: The work system differs from that at Memphis. If the slave girls formed the work system in Memphis, here – in Philadephia - the system of specialist families and individual weavers was adopted by Zenon. He cared for attracting weavers- families elsewhere to Philadelphia to work in the factory. On the other side, weavers who wished to establish themselves at Philadelphia wrote to Zenon telling him of their skill and displayed their experience in

(63) P.Cair-Zenon 2,59170;Rostvtzeff 1922,p 116. (64) P.Cair.Zenon 3, 59484(=P.S.I 4, 442). (65) P.S.I 6, 593, 3rd century B.C.,Philadelphia


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the manufacture of cloths66. The following documents found in the Zenon archives prove the preceding points:

1) Two artisans who were also Greek brothers (a¹delfo£i), named Demetrios and Apollophanes sent a letter to Zenon, offering the services of themselves and their female relatives as weavers. The two brothers claimed that they were expertise in woven goods and able to make various kinds such as short mentals, frock, belts, clocks, and sword - belts. They asked only for quarters (καταλυµα). Moreover, they were ready to teach other people weaving if Zenon agreed. They offered too, to move –with their families and mother- from their city (Moithymis) to Philadelphia ( ¹Apollofa/nhj Dhmh/trioj a)delfoiì texniÍtai th=j kata\ th\n e)re/an pa=san gunaikou+fh={4gunaikuufh} {7gunaikuufh ?}7. ei¹ ouÅn dokeiÍ soi kaiì xrei¿an tugxa/neij eÃxwn, eÀtoimoi¿ e)smen ta\j xrei¿aj soi pare/xesqai. a)kou/ontej ga\r to\ kle/oj th=j po/lewj kaiì se\ to\n proesthko/ta xrhsto\n kaiì di¿kaion eiånai ,e)dokima/samen paragene/sqai ei¹j Filade/lf-eian pro\j se\ au)toi¿ te kaiì h( mh/thr kaiì h( gunh/. iàna ouÅn e)nergoiì wÕmen, prosaga/gou h(ma=j, eiã soi dokeiÍ. e)rgw¯meqa de/, e)a/n te bou/lhi,xlamu/daj, xitw½naj, zw¯naj, i¸ma/tion, cifisth=ra, kiri¿aj, gunaikeiÍa sxistou/j,tegi¿dia, summetri¿an, paraph/xh: kaiìdida/skein de/ tinaj, e)a\n bou/lhi {

(66) Forbes 1987,p16.


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4boulh}4. su/ntacon de\ Niki¿ai dou=nai h(miÍn kata/luma, iàna de\ mh\ qauma/zhij, kaiì gnwsth=ra/j soi parasthso/meqa,tou\j me\n au)to/qen a)cioxre/oujtou\j de\ kaiì e)n Moiqu/meiŸ67.

2) Another document68 includes an offer presented to Zenon by another family of weavers; the members of the family were ready to move to Philadelphia and work for him. They estimated what they needed for a piece of cloth as well as their wages. They also declared that they, both male and female, were ready to work in the same condition and for the wages they stated.( oi¸ u(fa/ntai. hÀkamen wÒd?e? wÐste e)rga/zesqai. oÀpwj aÄn to\ di¿kaion la/bwmen, deiÍ h(miÍn doqh=nai tou= tala/ntou, wÐste plu=nai kaiì diele?iÍ?n, draxmh\nŸ1 kaiì uÀfantron tou= e(no\j {81}8 o)qoni¿ou xalkou=Ÿ draxma\jŸ3 kaiì tau=ta h(miÍn ou)x i¸kano/n: e)piba/llei e(ka/stwi o)qon-i¿wi sw¯mata 3, gunh\ mi¿a {81}8, kaiì e)n h(me/raij eÁc{86}8 e)kte/mnesqai {4ekthmnhsqai}4. ei¹ mh/ soi ta-u=ta dokeiÍ, di¿dou h(miÍn e(ka/stw?io)bolo\n)1 gunaikiìh(miwbe/lionŸ {8…}dou\j h(miÍn u(phre/thn {4uphrhthn}4 i¸kano\n ei¹j ta\ e)rgaleiÍa {4ergalea}4 draxma\jŸ5 o)bolou\jŸ 2tau=ta? h(miÍn u(pologou=sinŸ.

3) Some skilled weavers came in to Philadelphia from Memphis and the Memphite nome in order to trade. One of those was the Egyptian embroiderer Teôs -perhaps a Memphite from Moithymis – who also turned to Zenon

(67) P.S.I 4, 341 (256B.C.). (68) P.S.I 4,599, undated from Philadelphia


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detailing his Skill69. Similar movement was found with other workers, Peteermotis from the Sarapieion70.

♦ Fourth: Zenon adopted another system by which he handed out wool to individual weavers to be manufactured in their houses . This is evidenced from some documents. In one of these71, a female weaver, may be a slave, named Bia demanded two ram's fleeces for making warps. Another Greek female weaver named Mestris handed over someone called Agathon certain garments belonging to Zenon. she has finished the work and asked Agathon to take them to Zenon72. In addition, we have a list from Zenon archive of female textile-workers. The list gives the number of women engaged in wool working in three Fayum villages and it read: "women working wool according to the declaration of the year 35: at Mouchi 320, at Oxyrhynchus 314, Tebtunis 150, total 784" (gunaikw½n tw½n ta\ eÃria {4erea}4 e)rgazome/nwn e)k th=j a)pografh=j t?o?u= 35 eÃtoujŸ Mou/xewj 320 ¹Ocuru/gxwn 314 Tebtu/newj 150 gi¿nontaiŸ784 ) 73. This list, most probably, refers to those women who spun

the wool in their houses. This proves that the production of woolen textiles was a female occupation and was a domestic affair. Moreover, it emphasizes the high numbers of women involved in this domestic production. The list throws light on two important things. Firstly: it may

also indicate that the labour of the Egyptian Artisans was on a small- scale and probably continued unchanged. This idea is

(69) P.Lond. inv 2055. (70) P.Lond inv.2046( 3rd century B.C,Philadelphia);cf., 1936(257B.C.);PSI 515 251B.C). (71) P.Mich I, 16, 3 June 257 B.C, Philadelphia. (72) P.Cair-Zenon 2, 59146 (256 B.c). (73) P.Cairo-Zenon 2, 59295,( 250 B.C), Philadelphia.


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supported by small orders of a single cape or chition from a private producer which implied small-scale production alongside with the factories of Apollonios74. And secondly: the stages of the woolen textiles, and the movement of the raw wool.

After shearing the sheep, wool was washed and cleaned. Then the raw wool was either shipped as flocks or spun locally by women in the village. Therefore, the female spun the wool after being cleaned and washed, and the wool, these women wove, came probably from local flocks. But whether Zenon employed the women, or simply bought the wool they spun, remains unknown. It was within his responsibility for managing Apollonios’ weaving factory, to keep a close eye on the raw materials75.

The immigrant investors may have exercised some form of coordination between individual artisans. So, we can assume that an Egyptian village had women who spin the wool and some local small workshops that had the spun wool from them to be woven. Also, the immigrant investors acted as the contact point between the two parts, and they had to pay some dues to the state. At this point, Apollonios as a finance minister could collect these dues and taxes through his agent Zenon then the dues were moved to the government. So Zenon might have acted as central collection point for what were probably state dues, In other cases, he exacts the tax from others76 and in an account he recorded payments made in July 255B.C by some persons, among them a weaver of wool77.

On the other side, did Apollonios himself pay taxes and customs, or did he make use of his public official position in the government to the benefit of his personal projects?

(74) P.S.I 6, 605,(3rd century B.C), Philadelphia; SB 22,15276,;P.Cair-Zenon 59433, Mich-

Zenon 58(248B.C). (75)Thompson 1988,p52 (76) P.S.I 4,. 368 (250/249B.C). (77) P.Cair- Zenon 2, 59176( July, 255 B.C), Philadelphia.


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Though the state seems to have considered itself the theoretical owner of all flocks and collected a tax on flocks (phoros), many flocks were private possessions78. For Apollonios, his relation to the state, as regards the pasturing of his herds, was not different from those of other inhabitants of Egypt. He paid taxes and customs just as other inhabitants of Egypt do79.

In fact Zenon, as the manager of Apollonios' estate in Philadelphia, acted, in most cases, on behalf of his master, so he paid the pasture tax of the herds just as others do80. A tax receipt 81 showed that Zenon paid the pasture tax (e¹nno¯mion) for 175 sheep. In another receipt82, he paid his pasture tax for not less than 500 head83. Accordingly, Apollonios paid tax on his flocks in Philadelphia and Memphis.

The tax was collected by an official in the village called the Antigraphus who had to collect the wool from the shepherds and then turning it into textiles. After that, he handed it over to the agent of the oiconomus in the village. A paper84 found in the Zenon correspondence shows that someone called Apollonius the Antigraphus wrote to Zenon informing him that he received two talents' weight of wool for making mattresses and asked him for further instructions about it.

In a circular letter85, dated to 223 or 181 B.C, a certain Senouchis was authorized to act as an Antigraphus for the collection of a 2.5% wool tax, and to collect arrears of taxes, probably of wool tax.

(78) Forbes 1987,p15 (79 ) Rostovtzeff 1922, pp112-113. (80) P. Lond. inv.2092. (81) P.S.I 7, 626 ( 250/249BC) , Philadelphia. (82) P.S.I 4, 386, (250/249BC) , Philadelphia. (83) Rostovtzeff 1922,160-161.. (84) P.Mich-Zenon13, 257B.C., Philadelphia. (85) SB XXII, 15766; Müller, Z P E105 (1995), pp 237–243.


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Apollonios also paid taxes and customs on imported wool at the point of Pelusium, A paper86 from Zenon Archive proved that. The importance of the papyus came from the tariff of the Ptolemies and that Egypt imported wool87.It listed a number of imported goods from Syria which passed through the custom of Pelusium on their way to Alexandria. The goods were carried by two ships which probably formed part of Apollonios' fleet. In this list: goods are divided into four categories, and wool came in the fourth category. The tax (col II,62-63) imposed up on it was 22½ oboles (in the light of the restoration of Perseus ) . This amount of tax was imposed up on the mina of clean wool as it was mentioned in the papyrus, though the publisher of the papyrus suspected that the tax has been calculated by mistake on one mina instead of the whole amount. The imported raw wool was 22.5 minas and each mina taxed at two drachmae and obol, total paid was 56 drachmae and 1.5 obol.

According to other sources normal rate of the tax of the raw wool was about 3 3/4 obols88. Or about 20% of the wool 89. Anyway the tax varied according to the quality of the wool. For other imported articles at the sea-port of Alexandria, we have evidences for the payment of Customs duty, freight and minor taxes by Apollonios90.

Products of Factories:

(86) P.Cair- Zen 59012= Austin 1981,237), 259B.C. ,Philadelphia: eÃria kaqara\ e)n k[ibwtw½i mna=iŸ22 ½

h(miwbe/lionŸ {8…}8 xalkou=jŸ1 th\n mna=nŸdraxmai/Ÿ2 o)boloi ìŸ3.

(87 ) Beven, The House of Ptolemy,p 156. (88) OIM 19309, recto, a Demotic Ostraka from Thebes dated to October 20, 231 - October

19, 230 B.C(= chicago.apis.8195): http://wwwapp.cc.columbia.edu/ldpd/app/apis/search&subject=Wool).

(89) Preaux 1939,p 95. (90) P.Cair.Zen. 1 59015 recto(259 or 258 B.C.), c.f; P.Cair.Zen. 1 59014 (259 B.C.),


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The two factories of Apollonius at Philadelphia and Memphis produce various kinds of wool textiles and wool products such as:

1) Carpets: It seems likely that Carpets were the main product in Philadelphia. The corresponds of Zenon registered two kinds of the carpets, the carpets with pile on both sides the amphitapôn (a¹mfita¯pon)91, and another kind of high quality carpets called psilotapides (yilota¯pidej), which was very smooth 92.

2) Mattresses:The mattresses were the most common kind of The woollen textiles in Egypt under the Ptolemies. In a document dated to May 4, 257 B.C, which is a business Letter93 sent to Zenon by the Antigrapheus Apollonides, asking for instructions about a quantity of wool he has just received for making mattresses.

3) Cloak: The slave girls were called the clockmakers in one of the documents and that suggests that there were specialized in that sort of woolen stuffs. On the other side The cloaks were the main woolen textiles forms94. 4) Other products: There were other kinds of woolen stuffs such as heavy rugs for using as bedding95, bed coverings, pillows, tunics, strôma, and garments. Though the Woolen garments were rarely worn in Egypt because the atmosphere was moderate, so there was no need to it, as well as such wearings were forbidden for the priests as Herodot stated96. The workshops making nets, cables, ropes and bags may have worked for the king as these products

(91) P.Cairo-Zenon 59484(=PSI 442), 3rd century B.C. Philadelphia. (92) P.S.I 593, 3rd century B.C, Philadelphia. (93) P.Mich 13(=PSI,556), 257B.C. (94) P..Mich, 58, 248 B.C. ; Philadelphia. (95 ) P.Cair.Zen. 1,59088 (258/257 B.C). (96 ) Hist II,81.


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were used by the navy. Two faced tapestries with purple borders or with gold thread were the monopoly of Alexandria and they were probably made in state workshops. It seems that the inland trade of woolens and old cloths was free. A part from the luxury products, exports were few97. Apollonios’ trade

Apollonios himself, as we have already seen, was not only a landowner but also a merchant. He had agents scattered around the Nile and Mediterranean buying and selling for him98, then sending him or his agent Zenon reports contain detailed information about their transactions. No doubt that the wool occupied a distinguish place in these transactions notably in Alexandria where the Greeks settled in large numbers.

In an account sent most probably to Zenon( because lines 27-29 are notes in Zenon's hand and his brother Epharmostos is mentioned in the account) about the commercial transactions done in Alexandria and other cities for the interest of Apollonios. This account stated that they sold 30 minas of wool for 60 drachmas99.

Zenon could authorize persons to have the carpets made then pay afterwards. Someone called Nikandros asked him to

(97) Forbes 1987,pp15-16. (98) P. Mich. 45(252-251BC ; Philadelphia): shows Apollonios' agent selling wheat in

Aphroditopolis and buying hides in Herakleopolis. Other commericial transactions by Apollonios’ agents were registered in Alexandria, Kanopos, Krokodilon polis, Kerke [siris or osoucha], Ptolemais[Hormo] , P.Mich I, 61, 248 or 247 B.C, unknown province from Egypt.

(99) P. Mich I, 61, 248 or 247 B.C, unknown province from Egypt.


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have three smooth carpets made, and three mattresses weight 40 minas of wool promising him to pay for them afterwards. u(po/mnhma Zh/nwni para\ Nika/ndrou. kataskeu/aso/n moi strw¯mata tri¿a {83}8 a)na\ mna=jŸ 40: kaiì yilota/pidaj 3. th\n de\ timh/n, wÒj aÄ[n] h(meiÍj paragenw¯[me][qaŸ100

Apollonios, as above mentioned, had flourished trade with Syria and Asia Minor as well as Arabia, he imported both raw wool and sheep, in some cases mattresses101. Moreover, the specialists shepherds for caring the sheep and training the local shepherds and their youngsters the best methods of rearing the imported sheep. In turn; he exported to Asia Minor and Syria some articles102. We have an account of the money handled and used by a commercial agent, who had been travelling between Alexandria and the Syrian coast, visiting the towns of Sidon and Askalon but the articles in which he was trading are unknown103.

Evidence of Apollonios’ role as a dealer in woolen textiles comes mainly from Egypt, above all from Zenon Papyri, so the position of Zenon is worthy to note some striking points like:

1. Some times Zenon, the agent of Apollonios, represented the government on collecting pasture dues or taxes. In other cases he paid such taxes on behalf of his master Apollonios as an owner of the estate and owner of large herds of sheep and goats, as well as a dealer in woolen stuffs. It seems likely that Zenon was the chief administrative official at Philadelphia and the police force

(100) P.S.I 6, 593, 3rd century B.C.,Philadelphia. (101) P.Cair-.Zenon 1, 59093 (257 B.C). (102) P. Mich.inv 3080, about 259,Philadelphia. (103) P.Cair.Zen. 1 59010 (About 259 B.C). Apollonios also imported some spices from

Asia and oil jars from Melietus and Samaria. P.Cair-Zen. 2, 59143 ( 256 B.C) & P.Cair.Zen. 1 59015 recto(259 / 258 B.C.)


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was at his disposal104. 2. Zenon's position under Apollonios probably brought him

in contact with many opportunities to procure a profit for himself. We have evidence of Zenon leasing kleruchic land for himself before105, and after106, he was released from the services of Apollonios. While working under Apollonios and the years following, Zenon practised money lending to private individuals107. In addition, he owned ships in which he split the profit with the sailors108.

3. Most of the above mentioned papyri that belongs to Apollonios mentioned Zenon though we mean Apollonios. That is why Zenon was the manager of his private estates . As manager of Apollonios' private estates, Zenon's duties were unlimited and included various aspects and tasks all related to his role as the first man of Apollonios. Besides supervising Apollonios' land in Philadelphia, Zenon looked after his other land holdings in the Arsinoite and Memphite nomes109. He filtered the important , public and private matters of Apollonios. Furthermore, letters and various business documents addressed to Apollonios were often received by Zenon to forward if necessary110. Private matters included the payment of domestic staff, addressing their complaints and acquiring information pertaining to the crops and livestock on Apollonios' personal estates. Zenon was in a sense a commercial agent of Apollonios, managing his affairs in Egypt and abroad. He accompanied Apollonios on his visits to the nome capitals and other important cities. In addition, Zenon would inspect and discuss the work on Apollonios' personal estates with his agents, such as Panakestor111, when Apollonios himself could not112. Therefore, Zenon had acquired a great deal of wealth and respect in the community at Philadelphia.

(104) Rostovetzeffd 1922,159. (105) P.S.I 6,. 639, 3rd century B.C. (106) P.S.I. 4, 390,243/242 B.C. (107) P. Cairo Zen.3, 59355(Summer of 243 B.C.);c.f., P.S.I. 4, 389( 243/242BC)

Philadelphia. P. Mich.inv 3117. (108 ) P. Mich.inv 3225. (109) P.Mich.inv. 3134, 256-255 B.C.,. Philadelphia. (110) P.Mich.inv.3128( 257 B.C), Philadelphia. (111) P.Mich.inv.3199& 3231. ,(257 B.C), Philadelphia. (112) http://www.lib.umich.edu/pap/exhibits/snapshots/Zenon%20Archive/zenon.htm.


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In the light of the previous argument, we conclude that Apollonios - through his agents like Zenon, Pankestor, Addaios, Nouriaos, Artemidoros and others- had a considerable role in the wool textile industry. From the beginning he imported the best wool and sheep with specialized shepherds. Moreover he had good management for the herds as well as strict management for his two factories. The two factories produced various kinds of woolen textiles. Finally he had flourished trade with Asia Minor and Syria.


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Electronic data

http://www.lib.umich.edu/pap/exhibits/snapshots/Zenon%20Archive/zenon.htm http://www.trismegistos.org/arch/archives/arch_paris.pdf,p19 http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Africa/ Egypt/Texts/ BEVHOP / 2*.html Arabic Works

فتالى لويس؛ اليونانيون فى مصر البطلمية،ترجمة ن .2004السيد جاد، االسكندرية

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Apollonios, the Dioiketes as a Woolen Textiles Dealer

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