2009/05/28 by Clive Foss · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Archaeology and Historical Studies #Islamic Studies and History #Ancient Egypt and Archaeology #Byzantine architecture #State (computer science) #Shipyard #Service (business) #Requisition #Ancient history #History #Political science #Archaeology #Economy #Economics
paper · doi:10.1017/s0041977x09000512
openalex publication_date 2009/05/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Abstract The first part of this paper discussed a large collection of documents from Upper Egypt illustrative of society and economy in the time of Muʿāwiya. Here, further papyri, of pagarchs of Arsinoe, present supplementary information about grain production, taxation, great estates, the postal service and the role of the church in the local economy. Information about Fusṭāṭ and Alexandria depends on literary sources and archaeology. Fusṭāṭ, which started as a camp, became more organized and controlled under Muʿāwiya's governors when the main shipyard was moved there. Alexandria, despite romantic descriptions, was at least partly ruined. Like Fusṭāṭ, it was the seat of a major garrison. Taken together, the evidence from Egypt shows much administrative continuity from Byzantine times, but with important new taxes and requisitions and a tighter central control. It suggests that Muʿāwiya ran a sophisticated and effective state.