The course introduces students to Greek papyrology. Its principal aim is to develop the skills necessary to edit and interpret papyrological texts. Sessions are devoted to learning the techniques of papyrology and to investigating historical issues to which the papyrological corpus has much to contribute (the ancient economy, gender in antiquity, education, etc.). Extensive use will be made of Berkeley's outstanding collection of papyri from Tebtunis.

This year’s version of the seminar is an introduction to Greek papyrology; its ultimate aim is the development of the skills required to edit Greek texts on papyrus and related media such as wood. The first three quarters of the course will be organized around nine important papyrological “archives” (Ptolemaic, Roman, and “Byzantine,” i.e., late antique); aggregates of papyri (whether ancient or modern in origin) tend to be more interesting. Our study of facsimiles from these assemblages will provide exposure to the vital koine of Graeco-Roman Egypt and allow practice with a variety of handwritings. At the same time, we shall commence work on unedited papyri from Berkeley’s excavations at Tebtunis as well as tablets from the British Library (including a remarkable set of model contracts from Panopolis, which we shall study in conjunction with Collège de France Professor Jean-Luc Fournet and a group of students from the École pratique des hautes études). The final quarter of the semester will be devoted to workshopping these editions. Berkeley students who pass the course will be eligible to apply for two international seminars in 2019 (details to come).

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