Publisher's Synopsis
The focus of these papyri and inscriptions first published in 1980-81 is on social history. Documents illustrate family relations, slavery, the Roman administration and army, Judaica, and ecclesiastical and other topics. They include Paul's advice on marriage and the changing understanding of marriage in antiquity, women in public life, the allotment after death and Paul's metaphor of inheritance, the revocation of wills and Gal 3.15, "If you can your freedom" - manumission and 1 Cor 7.21, and the provincial census and Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.;Texts are provided with translation and discussion. The contemporary social institutions are explained, and their bearing on critical points of New Testament interpretation discussed. Extensive bibliographical detail is supplied.
