Apollonius (son of Sotades)

Apollonius, son of Sotades, was an Egyptian Greek official who lived during the Ptolemaic period. He served as the dioiketes (finance minister) under Ptolemy II Philadelphus in the 3rd century BCE. Apollonius is primarily known for his extensive correspondence and administrative activities, which provide significant insight into the economic and social conditions of Ptolemaic Egypt.

He managed the dorea, a large gift estate in the Fayyum region, granted to Queen Arsinoe II. The management of this estate involved overseeing agricultural production, irrigation projects, and the collection of rents and taxes. Apollonius's position granted him considerable power and influence, and his administration of the dorea significantly impacted the local economy and population.

His archives, primarily consisting of papyri, have been discovered and studied, offering a valuable source of information about Ptolemaic administrative practices, agricultural techniques, and the daily lives of those who lived and worked on the dorea. These papyri document a wide range of activities, from detailed accounts of crop yields and livestock management to personal letters and legal documents. They reveal a highly organized and bureaucratic system of governance.

The so-called "Apollonius Archive" provides insights into the integration of Greek administrative practices with the existing Egyptian system, demonstrating the complex interplay of cultures and power dynamics during the Ptolemaic period. His activities and the records he left behind are considered essential for understanding the economic and social landscape of Ptolemaic Egypt.