The Priests of Soknebtunis

A substantial group of papyri was found in the houses within the temple area. These texts date to the second century AD, and they inform us about various aspects of the lives of the priests of the crocodile god Soknebtunis, who was the principal deity worshipped in the temple. From these texts we can garner all sorts of information about priestly life in Tebtunis.

P. Tebt. 294 is an application by Pakebkis son of Marsisouchos, priest of Tebtunis, for the purchase of the office of prophetes. The text is dated to 5 January 147 AD.

Copy.

To Tiberius Claudius Justus, administrator of the Private accounts, from Pakebkis son of Marsisouchos, exempted priest from the famous temple of Soknebtunis also called Kronos and the most great associated gods situated at the village of Tebtunis in the division of Polemon in the Arsinoite nome.

I wish to purchase the office of prophetes in the aforesaid temple which has been for a long time offered for sale, on the condition that I shall ... and carry the palm–branches and perform all the other functions attaching to the office and receive in accordance with the orders the fifth part of the whole revenue which falls to the temple, at the total price of 2200 drachmas instead of the 640 drachmas long ago offered by Marsisouchos son of Pakebkis, which sum I will, as soon as my appointment is ratified, pay into the local public bank at the accustomed dates; and I and my descendant and assigns shall have the permanent ownership and possession of the office forever with all the same privileges and rights, on payment of 200 drachmas for admission.

If therefore it seem good to you, my lord, you will ratify my appointment here at the metropolis upon these terms, and write to the strategos of the nome on the matter, in order that the due services of the gods who love you may be performed. The fifth share of the proceeds of the revenues which falls to me, as aforesaid, after the expenses are paid is 50 artabas of what, 9 5/6 artabas of lentils, and 60 drachmas of silver. Farewell.

The 10th year of Imperator Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, Tybi 10."

Two documents are concerned with the circumcision of aspirants to the priestly office. Permission to circumcise had to be sought before the high priest (archiereus), as we know from other documents (for example BGU I 82 and P. Strasb. I 60). The two Tebtunis texts exemplify the formalities preliminary to the proceedings before the high–priest. The first text (P. Tebt. 292) is an application to the strategos in which Isidiora desires that her son and another relative be circumcised and asks the strategos to address a letter to the high priest.

The second text (P. Tebt. 293) is an oath declaration furnished by four priests of Tebtunis to the strategos, certifying that a candidate for circumcision was indeed of priestly lineage and otherwise a suitable candidate. The text dates to about 187 AD.

From Kronion son of Pakebkis son of Harpokration, deputy prophetes, and from Maron son of Kronion son of Harpokration, and Maron son of Maron son of Marepsemis, and Pakebkis son of Kronion son of Psoiphis, the three last being priests, all four from the famous exempted temple of the village Tebtunis.

With regard to the application presented to you by Marepsemis son of Marsisouchos son of Harpokration, priest of the said temple, requesting that his son Panesis by Thenpakebkis daughter of Panesis should be circumcised, in reply to your inquiry whether he is of a priestly family and ought to be circumcised we declare on oath by the fortune of Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus that he is in truth of priestly family, and that the proofs submitted by him are genuine, and that he ought to be circumcised because he cannot perform the sacred offices unless this is done; otherwise may we be liable to the consequences of the oath.

I, Kronion son of Pakebkis, have sworn the above oath as aforesaid.

(2nd hand) I, Maron son of Maron, have also sworn, as aforesaid.

(3rd hand) I, Maron son of Kronion, have also sworn, as aforesaid.

Also concerned with circumcision is P. Tebt. 314. In this text, from the second century A.D., a certain Chaireas informs another person about events surrounding the circumcision of a boy, probably a relative of one or the other of them.

Chaireas to his most honored Ma..., very many greetings.

I believe that you are aware how much trouble I had in getting the circumcision through, owing to the high–priest's desire to see the boy, but by means of the good offices of our friends we achieved it. Good–bye, my brother. Salute Kronion and all his household. You will oblige me by sending the cloths, as I am in a hurry, and get me three matia of dried coriander and a measure of cumin, and send them to me, as I want to manufacture oil.

That priestly life in Tebtunis also had its more dangerous sides is apparent from P. Tebt. 304. In this text from 167/168 AD, Pakebkis informs the dekadarches of an assault made upon him and his brother.

To Longinus dekadarches of the Arsinoite nome, from Pakebkis son of Onnophris from the village of Tebtunis, exempted priest of the famous temple in the village.

On the 30th of the month Epeiph, when the hour was late, one Satornilos, with a great many others, I know not why, having no complaint against us, picked a quarrel, going so far as to rush in with staves, and seizing my brother Onnophris they wounded him, so that his life is endangered in consequence.

Wherefore, Sir, being careful for the danger to his life, I submit this statement and beg you to order him (the perpetrator) to be brought before you so that he may take the consequences, and that I may obtain the requisite satisfaction.

The 8th year of Antoninus and Verus the lords Augusti Armeniaci Medici Parthici Maximi.

For other texts from the dossier of the Priests of Soknebtunis see: P. Tebt. 295, 296, 299, 300, 301, 307, 308, 311, and 315.