Menches
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Menches lived during a period of civil unrest stemming from an Egyptian civil war that lasted from 132 until 124 BCE.{{Sfnp|Waebens|2019|p=205–206}} The war was fought by the forces of [[Ptolemy VIII Physcon|Ptolemy VIII]] and [[Cleopatra III]] against [[Cleopatra II]], and caused a period of anarchy that lasted for several years after the war was concluded. Many farmers abandoned their land to become [[brigands]] as local officials exploited the peasantry. As the economy worsened, the price of basic items increased due to [[inflation]].{{Sfnp|Chauveau|2000|p=16}} |
Menches lived during a period of civil unrest stemming from an Egyptian civil war that lasted from 132 until 124 BCE.{{Sfnp|Waebens|2019|p=205–206}} The war was fought by the forces of [[Ptolemy VIII Physcon|Ptolemy VIII]] and [[Cleopatra III]] against [[Cleopatra II]], and caused a period of anarchy that lasted for several years after the war was concluded. Many farmers abandoned their land to become [[brigands]] as local officials exploited the peasantry. As the economy worsened, the price of basic items increased due to [[inflation]].{{Sfnp|Chauveau|2000|p=16}} The flight of tenant farmers in Kerkeosiris resulted in a loss of tax revenue, and 12 of Menches' fellow scribes went on strike between 118 and 117 BCE. These circumstances made it difficult for Menches to perform his duties as scribe.{{Sfnp|Waebens|2019|p=205–206}} In 118 BCE, Ptolemy VIII issued a broad amnesty decree that forgave all debts and pardoned all crimes committed during the war with the exception of murder and sacrilege. This decree helped to gradually restore social and economic stability.{{Sfnp|Chauveau|2000|p=16}} |
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On December 7, 118 BCE, Menches, his brother Polemon, and a group of other people were arrested.{{Sfnp|Verhoogt|1998|p=160}} They were charged with attempting to poison a man named Haryotes,{{Sfnp|Waebens|2019|p=206}} who was a citizen of [[Krokodilopolis]], a city in the Faiyum Oasis. They were tried before the chief of police and acquitted on December 9. After their acquittal, Menches continued to fear slander and reprisal over the incident. In May 117 BCE,{{Sfnp|Verhoogt|1998|p=160–161}} he sent a petition to Ptolemy VIII, Cleopatra II and Cleopatra III, asking them to make the ''[[strategos]]'' Apollonius protect him from reprisal.{{Sfnp|Bounta|2024|p=345–346}} Menches may have wanted to clear his name before an investigation of village scribes that was scheduled to take place in the summer of 117 BCE. During the investigation, royal officials arrested several scribes for misconduct in order to set an example of proper behavior.{{Sfnp|Verhoogt|1998|p=160–161}} |
On December 7, 118 BCE, Menches, his brother Polemon, and a group of other people were arrested.{{Sfnp|Verhoogt|1998|p=160}} They were charged with attempting to poison a man named Haryotes,{{Sfnp|Waebens|2019|p=206}} who was a citizen of [[Krokodilopolis]], a city in the Faiyum Oasis. They were tried before the chief of police and acquitted on December 9. After their acquittal, Menches continued to fear slander and reprisal over the incident. In May 117 BCE,{{Sfnp|Verhoogt|1998|p=160–161}} he sent a petition to Ptolemy VIII, Cleopatra II and Cleopatra III, asking them to make the ''[[strategos]]'' Apollonius protect him from reprisal.{{Sfnp|Bounta|2024|p=345–346}} Menches may have wanted to clear his name before an investigation of village scribes that was scheduled to take place in the summer of 117 BCE. During the investigation, royal officials arrested several scribes for misconduct in order to set an example of proper behavior.{{Sfnp|Verhoogt|1998|p=160–161}} |
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