A Re-evaluation and Analysis of CPJ V 638 and Its Implications for Understanding Social Relationships in the Roman Empire, and the Roman-Jewish Relationship in Particular

Abstract

The ostracon O.Ka.La. Inv. 228, recently added to the CPJ, received little attention, even though this ostracon may offer unique perspectives on social relationships in Roman-Egypt, particularly Roman-Jewish ones. In the ostracon, the Jews’ bread rations had to be replaced with wheat, possibly due to Passover. The current article shows that there are two other options, although only one is equally as probable as the Passover one. This other option emphasizes unique procedures implemented by the Roman army to allow Jews to keep their religious practices. It also raises the possibility that the bread stamps used by the Roman army to prevent theft also enabled minorities to easily serve while keeping their religious practices. The article stresses the importance of this ostracon and the implications it has on our understanding of Roman-Jewish relationships and the Roman attitude towards minorities, in general, throughout the Principate.