II.1.1 40. Incertum (sympotic?), 1st half VI century B.C.E.
Monument
Type
Fragments of upper and lower surfaces.
Material
Clay.
Dimensions (cm)
H., W., Th., Diam..
Additional description
S. Ionia, oil lamp, 1st half VI century B.C.E.
Find place
Berezan.
Find context
Western sector, grid square 80-81б, depth 0.6-0.9, fill of ditch.
Find circumstances
Found in 1977, excavations of L.V. Kopeykina.
Modern location
Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation.
Institution and inventory
The State Hermitage Museum, Б.77.81.
Autopsy
August 2016.
Epigraphic field 1
Position
Upper side.
Lettering
Graffito.
Letterheights (cm)
Unknown.
Text 1
Category
Date
575-550 B.C.E.
Dating criteria
Ceramic date.
<div type="textpart" subtype="inscription" n="1">
<ab>
<lb n="1"/>[- -μ]ὴ ὄργα μὴ[- -]
<lb n="2"/>
</ab>
</div>Apparatus criticus
Translation
Commentary
Apparently, we have an Imperative Pres. 2nd person Sing. form of the verb ὀργάω with the negative particle, followed by another prohibition/warning. One meaning of ὀργάω is "to swell, grow ripe, get ready" but here probably carries the meaning "to swell with lust, to be in heat" or "to be eager, to be excited". Such a negative warning sounds sententious but could perhaps be advisory in a sympotic context. The object that carries this graffito is an oil lamp, likely a necessary accessory for a nightly symposium, so a proposed interpretation of the graffito is consonant with the object's utilitarian function. Another oil lamp of the VI century B.C.E. found on Berezan (our lemma 2.1.1 1) also carries a witty message. With these two examples we are perhaps beginning to see a contemporary trend.
Images
Epigraphic field 2
Position
Underside.
Lettering
Graffito.
Text 2
Category
Date
575-550 B.C.E.
Dating criteria
Ceramic date.
<div type="textpart" subtype="inscription" n="2">
<ab>
<lb n="1"/>[- -]ΝΩΝ
<lb n="2"/>
</ab>
</div>Apparatus criticus
Translation
Commentary
There are too many possibilities to justify an attempt at restoring this line.
Images
© 2024 Irene
Polinskaya