The John and Penelope Biggs Department of Classics is delighted to announce that MA student William Sieving has had his research accepted for publication in the Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists (BASP), the premier North American journal dedicated to the study of ancient papyri.
William’s article represents an important contribution to Ptolemaic papyrology and the study of ancient monetary administration. His work centers on P.Cair.Zen. 1.59021, a letter dated to 258 BCE from the head of the Alexandrian mint to the well‑known finance minister Apollonios, preserved among the Zenon papyri.
For decades, scholars have debated the cause behind a temporary halt in the production of gold coinage referenced in lines 16–20 of this document. William’s study revisits this longstanding question by conducting a fresh analysis of both new and previously available scans of the papyrus. His careful reevaluation challenges both of the dominant scholarly interpretations of the problematic lines.
In their place, William proposes a new and compelling reading: Philoktas.
Philoktas, as William demonstrates, was an ἀρχιθέωρος (chief sacred envoy) from Alexandria who appears in a contemporary group of Delian inventories. This identification, supported by William’s philological and historical analysis, offers a striking new explanation for the papyrus’ reference. His argument suggests that Philoktas—likely a figure connected to the Ptolemaic court—had the authority to halt the production of gold coinage. This new reading not only clarifies the letter’s meaning but also enriches our understanding of the administrative and ceremonial roles intertwined in Ptolemaic governance.
William’s research showcases the power of close textual analysis combined with meticulous engagement with the broader historical record. His forthcoming publication in BASP marks an impressive scholarly achievement and reflects the intellectual rigor of our graduate students.
Please join us in congratulating William Sieving on this significant accomplishment!
