Being Roman with Mary Beard 5. Battling Bureaucrats
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Nov 8, 2023 Explore the challenges of running the Roman Empire and organizing an emperor's visit. Uncover the life of a middle-ranking civil servant in Ancient Rome and the frustrations they face. Discover the hidden documents and papyrus scrolls that provide insights into the Roman world. Delve into the frustrations caused by uncooperative town councils and the challenges of transporting pink granite columns.
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Impotent Middle Manager Holds Empire Together
- Apollinarius is a middle-ranking civil servant overwhelmed by duties and ignored by locals and superiors.
- His frantic correspondence reveals how fragile local administration kept the empire functioning.
How Apollinarius's Papers Survived
- Chester Beatty's collection contained Apollinarius's notebooks of letters and tax receipts from c.298–300 AD.
- These papyri preserved administrative detail and personal correspondence because Egypt's climate kept documents intact.
Approach Papyrus With Forensic Care
- When reading ancient papyri, expect inconsistent handwriting, abbreviations, and missing punctuation.
- Cross-check context and other documents to resolve unclear words or novel terms.