Reading a Scroll from an Ancient Library

Posted on 2019-09-13 in Events
Sep 19, 2019



Reading a Scroll from an Ancient Library: A Case from Persian-period Egypt

Christine Mitchell, St Andrew's College

CMRS Colloquium, 19 September 2019
Talk begins at 4:30 pm
Shannon Library, St Thomas More College


This lecture deals with Berlin Papyrus P. 13447, an Aramaic scroll from 5th century BCE Egypt, discovered in the early 20th century excavations at Elephantine. There are two texts on this scroll: a well-known Persian royal inscription on the recto and part of the verso, and a series of memoranda on the remaining verso. Scholarship has only considered the two texts as individual texts, but in this lecture I consider the interrelationship of the two texts and the physical object of the scroll. Ultimately this scroll teaches us something about Persian-period scribal practices, scribal education, and the library of texts held by the Judaean colony.

Christine Mitchell is Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, St. Andrew's College.

This free lecture is part of the Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies Colloquium. All are welcome. For more information contact cmrs.director@usask.ca.


Back to News Listing

Related Articles

"Vera Amicitia": Ciceronian Friendship and Virtue in John Donne’s Verse Epistles

Posted on 2020-11-19

This talk examines how the poet John Donne adapted Cicero’s model of friendship into his verse letters.


Digitising Scotland’s "Canon" - A Modern Bannatyne

Posted on 2020-02-24

The Bannatyne Manuscript is Scotland’s largest repository of late medieval verse. This presentation will describe work on a digital edition of the Bannatyne’s "ballatis of lufe."


Tiro and Cicero: A Look at the Relationship between a Freedman and his Patron

Posted on 2019-11-20

Cicero’s freedman Tiro is known for his devoted service to his former master and his role in compiling Cicero’s vast correspondence. This talk will examine what we know about Tiro and his life in Cicero’s household.


Editing in the Age of #MeToo

Posted on 2019-11-04

Editing in the Age of #MeToo


CMRS 398: Using Big Science for the Study of Material Culture -- poster presentation

Posted on 2018-11-30

A poster presentation and reception to showcase the work of the students in CMRS/CHEM 398.


Living in the Ancient Roman City: Space, Religion, Dangers

Posted on 2018-11-02

Students of History 308.6 Rome Study Abroad 2018 reflect on their experiences of ancient Rome.