Middle Nile on Gardens of the Roman Empire

Garden at Oxyrhynchos

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

258 CE

Excavation Dates

unexcavated

Garden Description

Described as a garden of the city inside its walls (κῆπον τῆς πόλεως ἔνδον τειχῶν ὄντα, 63), called the Paradeisos of Diktynos, with the plants and water for irrigation in it by the grammarian to whom it had been given as a source of income (it earned 2400 drachmas a year). Mentioned in a petition to the emperors.

Bibliography

P.Coll.Youtie.2.66; P.Oxy.47.3366. (papyri.info)

Keywords

walls (AAT:300002469)

Places

Oxyrhynchos (Pleiades:736983)
Al Bahnasā (inhabited place) (TGN:7001267)

Vineyard 1 in Oxyrhynchite nome

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

137 CE

Excavation Dates

unexcavated

Garden Description

Location unknown and size lost. Subleased in 137 CE for 4 years. Includes reed plantation (καλαμεῖα) and rose garden (ῥοδών). Surrounded by dikes and a palisade. Furnished with a sakiya (μηχανή) operated by hydroparochoi and using 5 oxen and 3 young cattle, a cistern (ὑδροδοχεῖον) and with an open-air drying shed (ἡλιαστήριον). Requires applications of χοῦς and pigeon dung.

Bibliography

P.Oxy.4.729. (papyri.info)

Keywords

Places

Oxyrhynchos (Pleiades:736983)
Al Bahnasā (inhabited place) (TGN:7001267)

Vineyard 2 in Oxyrhynchite nome

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

141 CE

Excavation Dates

unexcavated

Garden Description

A reed plantation, orchard, and garden; location not preserved. Leased in 141 CE for a number of years now lost. Furnished with a sakiya, a small watchtower, and a walled animal enclosure. Requires applications of χοῦς and dung. Rent includes cash, wine, fresh grapes, fresh and pressed dry dates, green and black olives, pomegranates, peaches, figs, myxes, two types of gourds, and vegetables (λάχανα) according to season.

Bibliography

P.Ross.Georg.2.19. (papyri.info)

Keywords

Places

Oxyrhynchos (Pleiades:736983)
Al Bahnasā (inhabited place) (TGN:7001267)

Vineyard, orchard, and reed plantation near Tanais

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

280 CE

Excavation Dates

unexcavated

Garden Description

Near the village of Tanais, Oxyrhynchite nome. Size not stated. Work leased out in 280 CE. Orchard includes date palms and fruit trees (ἀκρόδρυα). Surrounded by a mud-brick wall (πλαστή). Furnished with an open-air drying shed. Watering required. Rent includes wine and various fruits: fresh and pressed dates, καρυωτός dates, black olives, peaches (περσικά), citrons (κίτρια), summer and winter figs, and large white melons.

Bibliography

P.Oxy.14.1631. (papyri.info)