"Drei Kandidaten, bitte!

Die Rolle des praefectus Aegypti bei der Ersatznominierung öffentlicher Funktionsträger zu Beginn des 2. Jahrhunderts"

Abstract

The study presents new readings of three papyri: BGU XI 2057, P.Amh. II 64, 10–16 and SB VI 9050, col. V–VI 1–7. In all three of these late 1st and early 2nd century CE documents, the incumbent praefectus Aegypti asks the strategoi to draft a list of three suitable candidates, because public officials, especially liturgists, had proven unsuitable and had to be replaced during their tenure. A first example of such a procedure is provided by SB VI 9050, col. V–VI. This document is an excerpt from a type of document that had not previously been properly understood, namely the ἐντολαί/mandata (general ordinances) issued by a praefectus Aegypti to the strategoi upon their appointment. These mandata praesidis also explained in detail what aspects of the candidates’ suitability had to be checked. The other two papyri contain letters from the governor which have so far been misunderstood due to their fragmentary state and provide examples of how this procedure was implemented. The edition finally results in a study of the development of the closing formulae of epistulae praefectorum Aegypti.