Counting the People in Hellenistic Egypt: Volume 2, Historical Studies

This essential volume provides a deep dive into the economic and social fabric of Ptolemaic Egypt, using the detailed salt-tax registers as its primary evidence. Author Willy Clarysse masterfully reconstructs the demographic realities of the Hellenistic period, offering a quantitative analysis of population structures, taxation systems, and state administration. The work transforms fragmented papyrological data into a coherent historical narrative, revealing how ordinary people lived under Ptolemaic rule and how the state organized its fiscal demands.

What distinguishes this study is its methodological rigor in using fiscal documents to answer broader historical questions about social stratification and economic life. Scholars and advanced students of ancient history, particularly those focused on demography, Hellenistic economies, or Egyptian administration, will find this an indispensable resource. By counting the people, Clarysse ultimately gives them a voice, fundamentally enriching our understanding of daily existence in the ancient world.