Alabarch

Alabarch is the Greek title of the customs official at the harbor of Alexandria during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The title "alabarch" is different from the title of "ethnarch", which refers to the chief magistrate of a particular ethnic group within a city or territory.

Examples of usage

Philo's brother Alexander was alabarch (customs official) in the 30's A.D., and another Jew, Demetrius (otherwise unknown) held the same post late in Claudius' principate; neither case excites comment from Josephus as unusual. in Smallwood, E. Mary (1976). The Jews Under Roman Rule Leiden. p. 227.

Alexander the Alabarch was inspector-in-chief of customs (alabarch) and not a banker, even if he did occasionally lend sums of money, for instance to his eternally indebted friend, Agrippa I King of Judea. in Modrzejewski, Joseph M (1995) The Jews of Egypt: From Rameses II to Emperor Hadrian Jewish Publication Society. p. 135.

History

The following alabarchs are known by name:

Sources

"Alabarch". Jewish Encyclopedia. 1901–1906. 

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