The Evidence of a Man Named Tryphon

When discussing the historicity of Jesus, it's important to put it into the context of his times and realize what evidence might be available for a man who lived during those years. Tryphon was a simple weaver who lived in Egypt. Crossan (1991) examines the evidence for a weaver named Tryphon, "an Egyptian contemporary and more or less social equal of Jesus" (p. 20). Archaeology has found 21 documents referring to Tryphon.

"The three principal sources of papyrus documents have been town and village rubbish heaps, some as high as thirty feet, ancient collapsed buildings and, finally, tombs and cemeteries." (John White*, as quoted in Crossan, 1991, p. .20). White also estimates that "in 1981 that some 25,000 papyri of Roman date alone had already been published adn that twice the number from teh same period still remained to be edited and published".

 

Crossan examines the evidence for a weaver named Tryphon, "an Egyptian contemporary and more or less social equal of Jesus" (p. 20).

1. Census, 11-12 CE

The first references is in a census list required for taxation in which Tryphon is three years of age. The listing is for the year from 11 to 12 CE. Crossan describes the listing extensively (p. 21), which I will not go into here (P. Oxy. 288, 314; Grenfell & Hunt 2.280-284, 306).

2. Horoscope, around 21 CE

The second document is from approximately 21 CE when Tryphon's grandfather had a horoscope prepared. The papyrus is torn so the year of Tiberius cannot be clearly read. The exact date of this document is an estimate. Described, but not transcribed, by its editors (P. Oxy. 235; Grenfell & Hunt 2.137-139).

3. Tax receipts, 22-25 CE

A third document shows tax receipts from the years 22-25 CE and includes tax receipts not only for Tryphon, but for his father, Dionysius, for 24-25 CE.

The tenth year of Tiberius Casesar Augustus, Mecheir 13, paid through Diogenes, banker by Tryphon son of Dionysius for poll-tax in the Hippodrome quarter, including charge for transport, 8 drachmae, and on the 24th of Pharmouthi by the same poll-tax 4 drachmae. On Pauni 21, dies Augustus, for piig-tax 2 drachmae 1 1/2 obols. On Epeiph 16, for embankment-tax 6 drachmae. (P. Oxy. 288; Grenfell & Hunt 2.280-284; Hunt & Edgar 2.482-485). Crossan (1991, p. 22).

4. Marriage Complaint, 30's CE

The papyrus is torn and the exact date cannot be read. It is estimated to be between 30 and 35 CE based on other documents found.

To Alexadrus, strategus, from Tryphon, son of Dionysius, of the city of Oxrhynchus. I married Demetrous, daughter of Heraclides, an dI for my part provided for my wife in a manner that exceeded my resources. But she became dissatisfied with our union, and finally left the house carrying off property belonging to me a liast of which is added below. I beg, therefore, that she be brought before you in order that she may receive her deserts, and return to me my property. This petition is without prejudice to the other claims which I have or may have against her. The stole articles are: a... worth 40 drachmae... (P. Oxy. 282; Grenfell & Hunt 2.272-273, plate 7)

5. "Unrecorded" Marriage Agreement, May 22, 36 CE

Whether Tryphon was seeing another woman, Saraeus, before or after his separation from Demetrous is unknown. What is known is that after his divorce from Demetrous they filed a contract for a "non-dowry" for a "non-marriage" in order to live together on a trial basis without a regular marriage contract. Interestingly, someone name Leon had to sign for Tryphon because he was illiterate.

Tryphon, son of Dionysius, a Persion of the Epigone, to Saraeus, daughter of Apion, under the wardship of Onnophris, son of Antipater, greeting. I acknowledge the receipt from you at teh Serapeum at Oxrhynchus through the bank of Sarapion, son of Kleandrus, of ... a total sum of 72 drachmae of silver... in consideration of which I consented (to our marrage). And I will repay to you the 72 drachmae of silver [by October 27 of 36 C.E.]...If I do not repay in accordance with the above terms I will forget to you the said sum with the addition of half its amount, for which you are to have the right of execution upon me and all my property, as in accordance with a legal decision... (P. Oxy. 267; Grenfell & Hunt 2.243-247).

6. Apprentice Contract, 36 CE

"Contract between Thamounion, acting with her son Tryphon, and Abarus a weaver, apprenticing to him her son Onnophris .. for two years". Described, but not transcribed, by its editors (P. Oxy. 322; Grenfell & Hunt 2.306).

7. Assault Complaint, 37 CE

"Petition to Sotas, strategus, from Tryphon, complaining of an assault by Demtrous and her mother upon his wife Saraeus", untranscribed (P. Oxy. 315; Grenfell & Hunt 2.306)

8. Loan Agreement, 37 CE

"Acknowledgement by [Thamounis], duaghter of Onnophris, Persian of the Epigone, of the loan of 16 drachmae from her son Tryphon"

9. Child Care Agreement, some date after 37 CE

An untranscribed papyrus containing 27 lines of an agreement between Tryphon and Saraeus regarding the care of the infant daughter, which was cancelled (P. Oxy. 321; Grenfell & Hunt 2.306). Crossan supposes that the birth of this child into an unofficial marriage required a contract providing for her care. But the later official marriage between Tryphon and Saraeus which took place negated the need for this contract. It was thereupon cancelled.

10. Tax receipts, betwwen 45 and 50 CE

11. Petition to the Prefect of Egypt, 49 or 50 CE

To Gnaeus Vergilius Capito, from Tryphon, son of Dionysius, of the city of Oxyrhynchus. Syrus ([Pesouris], son of Syrus, entrusted to the keeping of my wife Saraeus, daughter of Apion...a boy foundling named Heraclas, whome he had picked up from teh gutter, to be nursed. The founodling died, an dSyrus tried to carry off into slavery my infant son Apion. I accordingly applield to Pasion, the strategus of the nome, by whome my son was restored to me in accordance with what you, my bneefactor, had commanded, and the minutes entered by Pasion. Syrus, however, refuses to comply with the judgment, an dhinders me in my trade. I therefore come to you, my preserver, in order to obtain my rights. Farewell. (P. Oxy. 38; Grenfell & Hunt 1.81-82).

12. Appeal to a Local Strategus, 50-51 CE

"Fragment of a petition addressed to Tiberius Claudius Pasion, strategus, by Tryphon". Untranscribed papyrus (P. Oxy. 316, 324; Grenfell & Hunt 2.306).

13. Assault Complaint, 50-51 CE

"Latter part of a petition, addressed probably to the strategus, by Tryphon, complaining of an assault upon him and his wife Saraeus by a woman and other persons unnamed". Untranscribed papyrus (P. Oxy. 316, 324; Grenfell & Hunt 2.306).

14. Release from Military Duty, 52 CE

Release from service was grant by Gn. Vergilius Capito, prefect of Upper and Lower Egypt, to Tryphon, son of Dionysius, weaver, suffering from cataract and shortness of sight, of the metropolis of Oxyrhynchus. Examination was made in Alexandria (P. Oxy. 38 = 317; Grenfell & Hunt 1.83 = 2.306).

15. Purchase Receipt, 54 CE

Receipt for a "weaver's loom... measuring three weavers' cubits less two palms, and containing two rollers and two beams" from Ammonius, son of Ammonius, for twenty silver drachmae (P. Oxy. 264; Grenfell & Hunt 2.3234-234).

16. Purchase Receipt, 55 CE

Tryphon, son of Dionysius, about...years old, of middle height, fair, with a long face and a slight squint, and having a scar on his right wrist, has bought from his mother Thamounis' cousin, Pnepheros, son of Papontos, also an inhabitant of Oxyrhynchus, about 65 years old, of middle height, fair, having a long face and a scar above his eyebrow...and another on his right knee, (the document being drawn up in the stree) one half of a three-storied house inherited from his mother, together with all the entrances and exits and appurtenances, situation by teh Serapeum at Oxyrhynchus in the southern part of the street called Temegenouthis to the west of the lane leading to "Shepherds' Street," its boundaries being, on the south and east, public roads, on the north, the house of the aforesaid Thamounis, mother of Tryphon the buyer, on the west, the house of Tausiris, sister of Pnepheros the seller, separated by a blind alley, for the sum of 32 talents of copper; and Pnepheros undertakes to guarantee the half share which is sold perpetually in every respect with every guarantee. (P. Oxy. 99, Grenfell & Hunt 1.161-163).

 

Sources:

Crossan, John Dominic. 1991. The Historical Jesus: The life of a mediterranean Jewish peasant, pp. 21-30. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Grenfell, Bernardy Pyne, and Arthur Surridge Hunt. 1898-99. The Oxyrhynchus Papyri. Parts 1-2, Nos. 1-207, 208-400. London: Oxford University Press.

Grenfell, Bernard Pyne, and Arthur Surridge Hunt. 1914. "Uncanonical Gospel." In The Oxyrhynchus Papyri, part 10, nos. 1224-1350, pp. 1-10 and plate 1. London: Oxford University Press.

 

 

*White, John L. 1986. Light from Ancient Letters. Foundations and Facets, New Testament. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

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