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Marriage Contracts
1. Marriage Contract
P. Mich. Inv. 6551
Karanis, 33-B556K-A (2)
This marriage contract, written in Greek, acknowledges
that the husband has received his wife’s dowry and stipulates the
return of the dowry in the case of divorce. The contract was drawn up
on November 15, 143 A.D.
… Pasion … has received from Chairemonis a dowry … of forty silver drachmai [and] a white tunic worth twenty drachmai. And they will live together with each other, Pasion supplying her with all that is necessary and with clothing as befits a married woman in proportion to his means; and when a separation takes place, Pasion will return to Chairemonis the aforementioned dowry and the tunic in the same valuation.
2. Marriage Contract
P. Mich. Inv. 508
From Philadelphia in Egypt
This marriage contract, in Latin with additions in Greek, records the rather grand dowry given by Nomissianus to his daughter upon her marriage. The full text lists additional gifts of real estate, a slave, and jewelry. This contract was written in the later 2nd century A.D.
…
Nomissianus … has given his maiden daughter
in marriage … [to] M. Petronius Servillius;
and [given a dowry including]…
… in clothing by valuation a tunic and
a light mantle and a Syrian cloak for the value of 430 Augustan drachmai
… and a striped garment … and as
additional gifts, a tunic and old light mantle …
3. Contract Dealing with a Dowry
P. Mich. Inv. 4703
Karanis, 26-B17F-A
This contract describes a meager dowry for a remarriage. The contract was written in Latin and signed in Greek sometime during the 2nd century A.D.
… she has promised and has given to him as her dowry clothing by valuation and cash in counted coin …
