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OGIS: 737


THE IDUMAEANS OF MEMPHIS HONOUR DORION

Greek text:   (A) OGIS_737 ,   (B) Cairo CG 22137   [ TM 48426 ]
Date:   112/1 B.C.
Tags:     buildings
Format:   see key to translations

Jewish and Idumaean communities in Egypt were often formed into associations called politeumata, although the exact nature of these associations is still debated by scholars: see SelPap_2.273A, and S.Honigman, "Politeumata and Ethnicity in Ptolemaic Egypt" ( academia.edu ).

As well as the Greek inscription (A) , Dorion is known from a hieroglyphic inscription (B) which records some of his priestly titles. What is shown here is not a complete translation of the hieroglyphic text, but the summary provided by G. Gorre, "Identités et représentations dans l'Egypte ptolémaïque", p. 243 ( Ktèma 32, 2007); see also C. Fischer-Bouvet, "Toward a Translocal Elite Culture in the Ptolemaic Empire", p. 126 ( academia.edu ).


[A]   In the sixth year; at the assembly of the association {politeuma} and the Idumaeans from the city, which was held in the upper Apollonieion. Since Dorion, the kinsman of the king and strategos and priest of the sabre-bearers {machairophoroi}, has been seen to act as a benefactor in many matters, both publicly and to each person individually, and being piously disposed towards the divinity he has with much profuse expense completed the plastering and whitening of the indicated temple, as is manifest to all; therefore it is resolved that he shall retain the other honours that he has for his whole life; and at the regularly occurring sacrifices, the award of a palm branch shall be announced, as is our ancestral custom; and the priests and the temple singers shall be instructed to mention him in the hymns; and he shall be crowned with a splendid crown throughout the banquets of the association. This decree shall be inscribed on a stone stele and set up in the most prominent place in the temple, and a copy of it shall be transmitted to Dorion, so that he may be aware of the city's grateful response to him.

[B]   . . . Dorion . . . son of Dorion the prophet of Horus . . . born to Herakleia / Harunchis, the prophetess of Horus-Khenty-Khety, the great god, the lord of Athribis . . .

. . . strategos, royal scribe . . . prophet of Horus-Khety, lord of Athribis, the great god, the lord of the sky, the king of kings, the sovereign of sovereigns, the chief lord of the gods . . . prophet of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Onnophris . . . prophet of Osiris who resides in Athribis . . .

inscription 739


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