Romans, and with the last it remained for all time.[338]

The people were soon left without means to purchase the
corn they needed. In a short time they had to part with
their cattle, and when the money thus secured was spent,
they sold their land to Joseph, and even their persons.
Many of them would cover themselves with clay and appear
before Joseph, and say to him, "O lord king, see me
and see my possessions!" And so Joseph bought all the
land of Egypt, and the inhabitants became his tenants, and
they gave a fifth of their ingatherings unto joseph.[339]

The only class of the people permitted to remain in possession
of their land were the priests. Joseph owed them
gratitude, for they had made it possible for him to become