An epitaph at Marion Tomb 88, dimensions unknown Three lines, 14 syllabic-Greek characters, written in sinistroverse Located in the cemetery (necropolis) at Marion in the district of Paphos, this epitaph is a declaration. [Read from right to left] .1  sa-ta-sa-ko-ra-u .2  e-mi  to*sa- .3  -ta-sa-to-ro 1. e-mi | ἐμίν (emiv) (Doric) | I (first-person pronoun) […]

An epitaph at Marion 4.7″ (12 cm) high x 9.1″ (23 cm) long Two lines, 13 syllabic-Greek characters, written in sinistroverse Located in the cemetery (necropolis) at Marion in the district of Paphos, this epitaph includes both a declaration and a qualification. [Read from right to left] .1  ti-mo-ka-mo-se-e-mi .2  o-ti-mo-ta-mo-ne 1. *e-mi | ἐμέ […]

A funerary stele at Golgoi 28.3″ (72 cm) high x 37.0″ (94 cm) long One line, eight alphabetic-Greek characters and five syllabic-Greek characters Relative date: 6th cent. BCE Located in the cemetery (necropolis) at Golgoi on Cyprus, this digraphic inscription is found at the base of a stele that includes two profiled lions facing the viewer and a winged […]

Graffiti at Karnak Dimensions unavailable Five lines, 26 alphabetic-Greek characters and 15 syllabic-Greek characters, written boustrophedon Karnak is a vast, ancient-Egyptian complex of chapels and temples, which includes the well-known temple of Amon. Due to long neglect, graffiti was allowed to flourish on the site’s many walls.  Located on the east wall of the temple of Achoris, […]

Onyx Scarab yellow a-ri-si-to-wa | na-xe 1. a-ri-si-to*wa-na-xe | †ἀριστωαναξ (aristoanax) | †the best of masters ἀριστωαναξ the best of masters Notes:  The inscription follows the curve of the scarab in boustrophedon style: a-ri-si-to-wa | na-xe. Masson translates as Ἀριστοϝά|ναξ, which presumes an anthroponym rather than a generic reference.  Cf. similar Greek compounds (e.g. ἀριστοπάλας (aristopalas) “the best of wrestlers”). […]

A surgeon’s cautery 7.125”  (18 cm) 19 characters, sinistroverse Relative date:  6th cent. BCE .1  a-mu-se-ka-te-te-ke-ta-i-ti-o-i-ta-i-ko-lo-ki-a-I Proposed syntax: .1  a-mu-se , ka-te-te , ke-ta-i , ti-o , i-ta-i , ko-lo , ki-a-i 1. a-mu-se |  ἄμυξι(ς) (amucis) | scarification 2. i-ta-i | ἱ(σ)τᾷ (istai) | he lies [in repose] 3. ka-te-te | καθετή(ρ) (kateter) | that which is let down [e.g. an instrument such as […]

Stone inscription 22.5” x 8.33”  (57 cm x 22 cm) .1  a-ri-si-to-ti-ma-se 1. a-ri-si-to*ti-ma-se | † ἄριστοτίμασι(ς) (aristotimasis) | † honoring the best, honoring the noblest .1  ἄριστοτίμασι honoring the best, the noblest Notes:  Masson translates as Ἀριστοτίμας, which presumes an anthroponym rather than a generic reference.  Cf. similar Greek compounds (e.g. ἀριστοπάλας (aristopalas) “the best […]

    A Hoplite tool or weapon Scribe unknown Relative date: 1050-950 BCE A Cypro-Minoan (Linear C) inscription, which has been identified as the earliest example of Greek writing on Cyprus, is found on a bronze ὀβελός (obelos) “a pointed square pillar” or “a spit“.  This implement was discovered in 1979 at Palaepaphos “Old Paphos” and is dated to […]