DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.619#0063
51
NAUKRATIS.
Melian inscriptions, that we have one fragment
of a vase in the style which Conze (Melische
Thongef.) has called "Melian." On it is repre-
sented in the archaic manner, similar to Ibid,
pll. i—iii, a rude representation of a human figure
grasping in hoth hands some weapon, upon whom
a colossal hound or wolf is rushing.
Mr. Petrie has already called attention to the
comparative scarcity of fragments which can be
assigned to the period immediately following the
Persian invasion. From that time downwards the
only fabric that is of special interest is the very
late ware with subjects in relief; and of these the
fragments are too scanty and the subjects too un-
intelligible to make much of without a further
supply of examples with which to compare them.
CHAPTER VII.
THE INSCRIPTIONS.
Br Ernest A. Gabdneb,
Fellow of Gunoille and Cuius College, Cambridge.
63. The excavations of the past season at Nau-
kratis have proved extraordinarily rich in the
number of inscriptions that they have brought to
light, as will be seen from a glance at the plates
(xxx. to xxxv.) upon which these inscriptions are
reproduced. By far the greater number of them,
some 700 in all, were scratched with a sharp point
upon pottery of various ages and styles; but
a large proportion of this number, comprising
only monograms or unintelligible fragments, can
hardly be used for any scientific purpose. The
remainder, however, containing mostly dedications
to Apollo, form a connected and consistent series
of the utmost value to the epigraphist, for since
they must date almost entirely from the period
050—520 B.C., they enable us to trace the history
of the Ionic alphabet from its earliest infancy in
a manner that has never before been possible.
While the results of the next season's work,
which may prove, even in this respect, no less
fruitful than the last, are still to be expected, it
may seem premature to try to build any theories
upon the facts now published. But though gaps
may in future be filled up, a series is already
before us from which much may be learnt; and
while reserving till next year a fuller discussion
of the fuller material that may then be at our dis-
posal, we will at once endeavour to briefly sketch
out the results likely to be gained by the science
of epigraphy from the discoveries at Naukratis.
In dealing with the archaic inscriptions found
in the temenos of Apollo, we meet at the outset
two or three problems which must be solved
before it is possible to make any further progress.
For until we have decided in what way certain
of the earliest inscriptions are to be read, there is
no foundation on which to build a history of the
earliest Greek alphabet at Naukratis.
64. The inscriptions with which we meet usually
contain a dedication to Apollo, recording either
the act of offering, dveOrjKe TwnoXXavt or tolitoX-
\covl, or merely the sacredness of the object, 'AtfoX-
Xwvos. Such are the usual forms. But we find
others beside these, the explanation of which is
not at first sight so obvious; the most difficult,
as well as the most important, occur upon the
most primitive pottery, and in characters that by
their forms seem to indicate the infancy of Greek
writing. In no less than eight distinct instances
we find the inscription 'A iroXXa (or'j2Vo\\&>)o-of
elfii clearly visible or unmistakably indicated.
In three instances are letters which seem best
read as 'AreoXXo) (or T/2Vo\\w) <ro ifit', i.e.
'AnoXXco aov elfu. There are two objections to
these interpretations: (1) the form of dedication is
peculiar, and, so far as I know, unparalleled; (2)
the vocative form 'AnoXXa) is hitherto unknown.
So weighty are these objections, that, were these
inscriptions fewer or less clear, I should not
venture to defend my interpretation.
Afterwards another inscription came to light
which had previously been overlooked. This was
on pottery of early style, the neck of a drab-buff
vase with dark brown and red or purple ornamen-
tation, in the style assignable to about 600 B.C.
On this vase was clearly legible the inscription
'Atto^XXoj crds ttfii.
NAUKRATIS.
Melian inscriptions, that we have one fragment
of a vase in the style which Conze (Melische
Thongef.) has called "Melian." On it is repre-
sented in the archaic manner, similar to Ibid,
pll. i—iii, a rude representation of a human figure
grasping in hoth hands some weapon, upon whom
a colossal hound or wolf is rushing.
Mr. Petrie has already called attention to the
comparative scarcity of fragments which can be
assigned to the period immediately following the
Persian invasion. From that time downwards the
only fabric that is of special interest is the very
late ware with subjects in relief; and of these the
fragments are too scanty and the subjects too un-
intelligible to make much of without a further
supply of examples with which to compare them.
CHAPTER VII.
THE INSCRIPTIONS.
Br Ernest A. Gabdneb,
Fellow of Gunoille and Cuius College, Cambridge.
63. The excavations of the past season at Nau-
kratis have proved extraordinarily rich in the
number of inscriptions that they have brought to
light, as will be seen from a glance at the plates
(xxx. to xxxv.) upon which these inscriptions are
reproduced. By far the greater number of them,
some 700 in all, were scratched with a sharp point
upon pottery of various ages and styles; but
a large proportion of this number, comprising
only monograms or unintelligible fragments, can
hardly be used for any scientific purpose. The
remainder, however, containing mostly dedications
to Apollo, form a connected and consistent series
of the utmost value to the epigraphist, for since
they must date almost entirely from the period
050—520 B.C., they enable us to trace the history
of the Ionic alphabet from its earliest infancy in
a manner that has never before been possible.
While the results of the next season's work,
which may prove, even in this respect, no less
fruitful than the last, are still to be expected, it
may seem premature to try to build any theories
upon the facts now published. But though gaps
may in future be filled up, a series is already
before us from which much may be learnt; and
while reserving till next year a fuller discussion
of the fuller material that may then be at our dis-
posal, we will at once endeavour to briefly sketch
out the results likely to be gained by the science
of epigraphy from the discoveries at Naukratis.
In dealing with the archaic inscriptions found
in the temenos of Apollo, we meet at the outset
two or three problems which must be solved
before it is possible to make any further progress.
For until we have decided in what way certain
of the earliest inscriptions are to be read, there is
no foundation on which to build a history of the
earliest Greek alphabet at Naukratis.
64. The inscriptions with which we meet usually
contain a dedication to Apollo, recording either
the act of offering, dveOrjKe TwnoXXavt or tolitoX-
\covl, or merely the sacredness of the object, 'AtfoX-
Xwvos. Such are the usual forms. But we find
others beside these, the explanation of which is
not at first sight so obvious; the most difficult,
as well as the most important, occur upon the
most primitive pottery, and in characters that by
their forms seem to indicate the infancy of Greek
writing. In no less than eight distinct instances
we find the inscription 'A iroXXa (or'j2Vo\\&>)o-of
elfii clearly visible or unmistakably indicated.
In three instances are letters which seem best
read as 'AreoXXo) (or T/2Vo\\w) <ro ifit', i.e.
'AnoXXco aov elfu. There are two objections to
these interpretations: (1) the form of dedication is
peculiar, and, so far as I know, unparalleled; (2)
the vocative form 'AnoXXa) is hitherto unknown.
So weighty are these objections, that, were these
inscriptions fewer or less clear, I should not
venture to defend my interpretation.
Afterwards another inscription came to light
which had previously been overlooked. This was
on pottery of early style, the neck of a drab-buff
vase with dark brown and red or purple ornamen-
tation, in the style assignable to about 600 B.C.
On this vase was clearly legible the inscription
'Atto^XXoj crds ttfii.