Your Day in the Ancient Greek World

November 27

November 27 in ancient Greece is represented in our source-audited archive by 2 verified records spanning 116 BC to AD 395. Together, the entries below connect this calendar date with different moments in the ancient Greek world through historical and documentary evidence.

Across the centuries

On This Day

  1. 116 BC

    Life on This Day

    Pathyris, Upper Egypt, Ptolemaic kingdom Family & Relationships High

    A Woman’s Will Distributes Land, a Palm Grove and Houses

    On November 27, 116 BC, Tathotis daughter of Phibis made a will at Pathyris. The surviving Greek testament distributed land, a share in a palm grove and interests in several houses to her daughter Kobahetesis.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • Papyrus 2850; P.Lond. VII 2191 = TM 1488

    Modern scholarship

    • British Library Archives and Manuscripts catalogue

    Public links

  2. AD 395

    Event That Shaped History

    Outside Constantinople Politics & Power High

    Praetorian Prefect Rufinus Is Murdered Outside Constantinople

    On November 27, AD 395, the eastern praetorian prefect Rufinus was murdered by troops outside Constantinople. His sudden death removed one of the most powerful figures at the court of the young emperor Arcadius.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • Claudian, In Rufinum, with the late antique historical tradition

    Modern scholarship

    • Modern studies of Rufinus and the court of Arcadius

    Public links