Greek Inscriptions

Reading the Past

by B.F. Cook

Introduces a wide variety of Greek inscriptions on stone slabs, pottery, bronzes, and other small objects, from simple names to more complicated texts, some in local dialects with distinctive alphabets

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 1987

Reviews

[John Isles · Rating 3 out of 5]

You have to know quite a lot of ancient Greek to benefit from this book, which seems rather a primer for potential epigraphers than suited to the non-specialists to whom other books in the series are addressed. Early Greek inscriptions come in many variants of the alphabet, which broadly fall into two categories, the 'red' alphabets of the west and the 'blue' of the east - a terminology that's explained in Chapter 1, and not used again until the final pages when you might have forgotten it. The objects illustrated, with their inscriptions transcribed and translated, include jugs and vases, gravestones, architectural fragments, statues, wooden tablets, and objects dedicated in temples. The Greeks seem to have written on just about everything about them, and to have found many ways to do it.

I noticed a few errors: the dialect spoken in Athens was akin to Ionian, not Dorian; the line dividers in Figures 18 and 19 are leaves, not wreaths; Figure 27 shows an inventory of treasures, not of treasurers; and Figure 40 names Dionusios, not Dionisios. All in all a fascinating subject, but the book was not such an easy read. This guide also forms a section of the volume "Reading the Past" which incorporates five other British Museum booklets on early writing in the Western World and Middle East.

[Pete Missingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well illustrated book with 58 photos (including a few drawings). The author takes us through several different problems faced by anyone trying to read a Greek inscription, Greek here restricted to the classical Greco-Roman period. For example, which Greek alphabet are we trying to read? Although there are two main variants, several islands went their own way. Which direction are we to read the letters? Which dialect was the inscription? Each photo rewards a minute or two of contemplation. Photo 57 took several minutes study to identify the inscription. Congratulations to whoever finally managed to read it; I struggled even with the interpretation being on the same page. It was amusing to see the Rosetta Stone famous for its rôle in the interpretation of Egyptian, and realise how badly spelt the Greek inscription was. Luckily classical Greek was well known. While I'm on the subject, the author assumes no ability to read Greek by the reader. A very erudite book.

[Stefanos · Rating 4 out of 5]

An all-time classic handbook that is still quite useful as an introduction to Greek epigraphy.

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This only thing wrong with this book is that it is written in a very dull style. It is otherwise an excellent introduction to Greek inscriptions.

[Kevin K. Gillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of six volumes collectively entitled "Reading The Past." It was my first introduction to reading Greek inscriptions, long before the Internet and Wikipedia. I was particularly struck by the multiple complications of no spacing between words and the use of boustrophedon: writing in alternating directions.