The Ethics and Economics of Ptolemaic Religious Associations

Setting the Boundaries: Reading 1 Timothy and Titus as Community Charters

“…For example, verbal or physical abuse of a member, fighting, raucous talk about members’ families and genealogies, accusations against members, taking another member’s seat, drunkenness, interrupting the convivial atmosphere, or more generally, sordid behaviour (Kloppenborg, 2019, p. 155). They also included regulations against absence from meetings or events, or refusing to pay membership fees (Monson, 2006, p. 233). Members were expected to contribute toward and attend the banquet and failure to do so resulted in fines, as did any sort of misconduct during the gathering (Ascough, 2008, p. 36).…”

“…Associations would often make provisions to take care of their members in need. In fact, refusing help to a member could result in a penalty (Monson, 2006, p. 233). An association from Piraeus ( IG II2 1275) stipulated that if a member was wronged, the other members and their friends were to come to his assistance, “so that everyone might know that we show piety to the gods and to our friends.” An association of bankers ( PSI XII 1265) required that, if a member falls into debt, the rest of the members will help him and not abandon him before he is released from the matters that concern him.…”

Recruitment to Elective Cults: Network Structure and Ecology

“…First, both modern studies in evolutionary anthropology and the analysis of ancient associations have shown how small face-to-face groups serve to create what Andrew Monson has called 'networks of trust'. 64 Common to most ancient associations is that they not only engaged in regular communal dining and other corporate activities such as processions and reverencing of their patronal deities, but they also imposed behavioural rules on members, for example requiring all to attend meetings, to participate in the funerals of members, to treat fellow members ethically, and to assist members whom they found in distress. Groups often undertook to guarantee support for members who had been arrested or suffered other misfortunes.…”