Documentary papyri rarely speak about concrete historical events. In some cases, however, papyri can be of great importance for certain historical questions in an indirect way. In this lecture, one of these rare papyri is presented: A deed of surety (CPR XXIV 27) sheds light on the dramatic events during the revolt of the future emperor Heraclius (610‒641 CE) against the reigning emperor Phocas (602–610 CE), in which Egypt played the crucial role. The attempt is to show how the papyrological evidence can be embedded in the traditions of the narrative sources and how information from the papyri — in combination with the numismatic and historiographical evidence — leads to a more accurate understanding of the actual historical process and its dramatic military actions in Egypt. The papyri indicate that the Chronicle of the Coptic bishop John of Nikiou, though widely regarded with suspicion, provides a largely accurate narrative of the revolt, while well-known historiographers such as John of Antioch, Theophylactus Simokattes and Theophanes Confessor pass over important aspects of the events with remarkable silence.
The lecture will be hybrid. To register as a non-CEU member or to receive the zoom link, please email medstud@ceu.edu