Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Epigraphy

Welcome to our curated reading list for those eager to explore the captivating world of ancient Greek epigraphy!

(c) Oxford University

Delve into the rich and diverse corpus of inscriptions from ancient Greece with our selection of authoritative works by leading epigraphers and scholars. From monumental inscriptions on public buildings to intimate dedications in sanctuaries, ancient Greek epigraphy offers invaluable insights into the political, social, religious, and cultural life of the ancient Greek world. Explore the fascinating history of Greek writing systems, from the earliest forms of writing in the Bronze Age to the development of the Greek alphabet. Discover the wide range of inscribed texts, including decrees, laws, treaties, funerary epitaphs, honorific inscriptions, and more, which provide a window into the daily lives, beliefs, and identities of ancient Greeks across different regions and time periods. Whether you’re interested in deciphering the intricacies of epigraphic language and script or analyzing the historical context and significance of specific inscriptions, our reading list offers a comprehensive guide to the study of ancient Greek epigraphy. Join us on a journey through the epigraphic landscape of ancient Greece and unlock the secrets of its inscribed treasures.

General

  • Cook, B.F., Greek inscriptions, London, 1990.

Further Reading

  • Bodel, J.P., Epigraphic evidence: ancient history from inscriptions, London, 2001.
  • Fornara, C.W., Archaic times to the end of the Peloponnesian War, Cambrdge, 1983.
  • Harding, P., From the end of the Peloponnesian war to the battle of Ipsus, Cambridge, 1985.
  • Hedrick Jr., C.W., ‘Democracy and the Athenian Epigraphical Habit’ in Hesperia: The Journal of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens 68.3, 1999, 387-439.
  • Meiggs, R. & Lewis, D.M., Greek Historical Inscriptions, Oxford, 1969.
  • Tod, M.N., A Selection of Greek historical inscriptions to the end of the 5th century B.C., Oxford, 1950.
  • Thomas, R., Oral tradition and written record in classical Athens, Cambridge, 1989.
  • Woodhead, A.G., The study of Greek inscriptions, London, 1992.