The title '10,000 aroura man' (myriarouros in Greek) first appears in the middle of the 3rd century B.C., and there has been some debate among scholars as to its exact meaning; see for instance L. Criscuolo, in "The Economies of Hellenistic Societies, Third to First Centuries BC", p. 168 ( Google Books ). A summary of the evidence can be found online in W. Huss, "Die Verwaltung des ptolemaiischen Reichs", paras.278-280 ( OpenEdition ).
This document is one of over 20 surviving papyri associated with the nomarch Aristarchos; see W. Clarysse, "Bilingual Papyrological Archives", pp.20-21 ( PDF ).
In year 37, the month of Mecheir, of King Ptolemy, son of Ptolemy the Saviour god, may he live forever, Harchebis, son of Pais, the myriarouros of the Village of the Syrians, declares to Aristarchos, the administrator of the northern district: If the ḏrȝ.w lands of the outer districts are handed over to me, I will ensure that 200 artabas of wheat from them are paid to the king, and I will ensure that they are paid to the villages of Faiyum. The grain produced on the lands of the outer districts shall be left at my disposal, so that I can sell it without anyone being able to appropriate it. I shall ensure that the wheat is paid to the villages of Faiyum from year 37, from Pachon to Pauni. Any grain from this quantity that I have not had registered before the aforementioned date, I will give half in addition, in year 37, month of Epeiph, day 2. I will pay for it at the rate of one kite per artaba. If they seize or claim ownership of any grain from this amount, I shall be given its price in money, and I will also ensure that it is paid to the royal granaries in the villages of Faiyum. He has taken the oipe measure.
Signed: Pichaas son of Samoys.
Signed: Harchebis son of Pais: "I will act in accordance with what has been written above."
Signed: Onnophris son of . . .
In year 37, the month of Mecheir, of King Ptolemy, son of Ptolemy the Saviour god, may he live forever, Harchebis son of Pais [the myriarouros of the] Village of the Syrians and its environs, declares to Aristarchos, the administrator of the northern district, the representative of Apollonios the dioiketes: You gave me the ḏrȝ.w lands of the Village of the Syrians and [I] shall arrange for 200 artabas of wheat from them to be paid to the [royal treasuries of the] Arsinoite [nome], from year 37, month of Pachon until the second month of [shemu {Pauni}. If it happens] that I have not given it fully on the day appointed [above, I will give it with] a half in addition, in year 37, month of Epeiph, day 2. [If it happens that] ownership of the grain in question is claimed, [I shall . . . and] sell it every day, and I will [make sure that it is paid to the villages] of Faiyum. If they take and use any of the grain, [they shall give . . .] for it 2 kite, on the same day, [from the date mentioned above (?)]
Signed: Pichaas son of Savoys.
Signed: Harchebis son of Pais.
{ Greek text: } In year 37, Mecheir [. . . concerning] Harchebis the myriarouros . . . in Syrōn Kōmē.
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