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https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.806#0289
III. § 2. THE HIEROGLYPHIC SIGNARY OF THE PHAESTOS DISK
Table XXIV contains a complete synopsis of the signs represented on the Disk.
The figures are copied from my own tracings, and, though not so complete as the
excellent drawings prepared by Signor Stefani for Dr. Pernier's publication, may yet
have an independent value as regards some details.
It will be seen that the subjects group themselves into headings like those of
the regular Minoan hieroglyphic series. Thus we have :—
1-9. The human body and its parts (including articles of dress).
10-23. Arms, implements, and utensils.
24. A building.
25. A ship.
26-34. Animals and their parts.
35-39. Plants and trees.
40-45. Uncertain objects.
CATALOGUE OF SIGNS ON PHAESTOS DISK (see Table XXIV)
i. Marching figure of a man in short tunic and belt. The crown of his head Catalogue
shows a slight crest which is possibly due to a summary attempt to indicate that he onSDi"k
is wearing a crested helmet.
2. Head of a man in close-fitting crested helmet. For comparisons with the head-
gear of the Pulasati, &c, and of a figure on the Enkomi casket see above, p. 25.
3. Head of a man depicted as bald, or with a close-fitting cap. An 8-shaped
mark is visible on the cheek. This, as Dr. Pernier has suggested,1 may indicate
a tattoo mark, or a painted ornament such as appears on certain Minoan figures.
4. Naked man with his arms bound behind his back; evidently a captive.
5. Naked male child. The characteristic outlines of the forepart of the body,
the helpless attitude, and the comparatively small size of the figure sufficiently
warrant this interpretation (Pernier, No. 3).*
6. Woman with the breasts apparently bare, wearing a girdle, a short gown, and
a skirt below. An object seems to hang from her girdle. The arrangement of the
hair as noted above ;t curiously recalls that of the male Shardanas of the time of
Rameses II. The whole aspect of this figure with its exaggerated breadth of waist
contrasts strongly with the Minoan and Mycenaean female types.
7. I have taken this sign to represent a woman's breast.4 Dr. Pernier5 would
see in it a pileus or cap. I have suggested belowu that the breast sign is the
symbol of a female divinity.
1 Op. cit.,p, 281 and note 1. a child. The appearance of a ' shirt' seems to be simply
! Dr. Pernier (op. cil., p. z8i) describes the figure as that due to the attempt to render the prominent abdomen.
of a man' nudo o coperto soltanto da una corta camicia'. s See p. 25. ' See above, p. 24.
He notes the signs of' organic weakness', which naturally i Op. cit., p. 292 (No. 39). * See p. 291.
explain themselves if we regard the figure as that of
Table XXIV contains a complete synopsis of the signs represented on the Disk.
The figures are copied from my own tracings, and, though not so complete as the
excellent drawings prepared by Signor Stefani for Dr. Pernier's publication, may yet
have an independent value as regards some details.
It will be seen that the subjects group themselves into headings like those of
the regular Minoan hieroglyphic series. Thus we have :—
1-9. The human body and its parts (including articles of dress).
10-23. Arms, implements, and utensils.
24. A building.
25. A ship.
26-34. Animals and their parts.
35-39. Plants and trees.
40-45. Uncertain objects.
CATALOGUE OF SIGNS ON PHAESTOS DISK (see Table XXIV)
i. Marching figure of a man in short tunic and belt. The crown of his head Catalogue
shows a slight crest which is possibly due to a summary attempt to indicate that he onSDi"k
is wearing a crested helmet.
2. Head of a man in close-fitting crested helmet. For comparisons with the head-
gear of the Pulasati, &c, and of a figure on the Enkomi casket see above, p. 25.
3. Head of a man depicted as bald, or with a close-fitting cap. An 8-shaped
mark is visible on the cheek. This, as Dr. Pernier has suggested,1 may indicate
a tattoo mark, or a painted ornament such as appears on certain Minoan figures.
4. Naked man with his arms bound behind his back; evidently a captive.
5. Naked male child. The characteristic outlines of the forepart of the body,
the helpless attitude, and the comparatively small size of the figure sufficiently
warrant this interpretation (Pernier, No. 3).*
6. Woman with the breasts apparently bare, wearing a girdle, a short gown, and
a skirt below. An object seems to hang from her girdle. The arrangement of the
hair as noted above ;t curiously recalls that of the male Shardanas of the time of
Rameses II. The whole aspect of this figure with its exaggerated breadth of waist
contrasts strongly with the Minoan and Mycenaean female types.
7. I have taken this sign to represent a woman's breast.4 Dr. Pernier5 would
see in it a pileus or cap. I have suggested belowu that the breast sign is the
symbol of a female divinity.
1 Op. cit.,p, 281 and note 1. a child. The appearance of a ' shirt' seems to be simply
! Dr. Pernier (op. cil., p. z8i) describes the figure as that due to the attempt to render the prominent abdomen.
of a man' nudo o coperto soltanto da una corta camicia'. s See p. 25. ' See above, p. 24.
He notes the signs of' organic weakness', which naturally i Op. cit., p. 292 (No. 39). * See p. 291.
explain themselves if we regard the figure as that of