A Selection of Greek Historical Inscriptions to the End of the Fifth Century B.C.
A Selection of Greek Historical Inscriptions to the End of the Fifth Century B.C.

Author: Russell Meiggs

Publisher:

Published: 1989

Total Pages: 346

ISBN-13:

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The wealth of inscriptions found scattered throughout the Greek world are an invaluable source for the reconstruction of Greek history. The texts themselves, however, are often fragmented and their subjects and background obscure and difficult to understand. This revised paperback edition of Meiggs and Lewis's standard selection (first published in 1969) includes new addenda, in addition to 95 texts covering the period from c.750 BC up to the end of the Peloponnesian War (404 BC). Each text is presented epigraphically and supplemented with a general description of the inscription's appearance and location, a bibliography, and full historical commentary. Many inscriptions are Athenian, shedding light on the political institutions of Athens (archons and ostracism, for example) and foreign affairs, especially her relations with the allies in the Athenian Empire and her role in the Peloponnesian War. Inscriptions from other city states and areas, though varying in date, present very different institutions and events, and help give a more rounded picture of the history of the period. Addenda and a concordance bring the edition fully up to date.

Athenian Lettering of the Fifth Century B.C.
Athenian Lettering of the Fifth Century B.C.

Author: Stephen Victor Tracy

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG

Published: 2016-03-07

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 3110407639

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This book has chapters on methodology, on the writing of the first decrees and laws of the years ca. 515 to 450 B.C., on unique examples of writing of ca. 450 to 400, on the inscribers of the Lapis Primus and Lapis Secundus (IG I3 259-280), and on those of the Attic Stelai (IG I3 421-430). These are followed by studies of 11 individual cutters arranged in chronological order. This study brings order to the study of hands of the fifth century by setting out a methodology and by discussing the attempts of others to identify hands. Another aim is to bring out the individuality of the writing of these early inscribers. It shows that from the beginning the writing on Athenian inscriptions on stone was very idiosyncratic, for all intents and purposes individual writing. It identifies the inscribing of the sacred inventories of Athena beginning about 450 B.C. as the genesis of the professional letter cutter in Athens and traces the trajectory of the profession. While the dating of many inscriptions will remain a matter for scholarly discussion, the present study narrows the dates of many texts. It also pinpoints the origin of the mistaken idea that three-bar sigma did not occur on public documents after the year 446 in order to make those who are not expert more aware that this is not a reliable means of dating.