2: Commentary on Epistomia nos. 1–12 Topography Lamellae nos. 1–7 were recovered from graves in the extensive cemetery to the north-northwest of Eleutherna, the city’s north entrance, but the exact location of their discovery is unknown. Theodoros Triphyllis, Consul of Austria-Hungary in Rethymno came to acquire nos. 1–3 and 7 and showed them to André Joubin, [1] John L. Myres, [2]… Read more
1: Edition The Gold Epistomia of Crete Nine Incised Archaeological Context for nos. 1–7 The provenance of the seven published epistomia is unknown. Margarita Guarducci, guided by Federico Halbherr’s notes and drawings (IC II.xii [Eleutherna].31, p. 136) and by Domenico Comparetti’s edition (1910:37–41), included nos. 1–3 and 7 in the epigraphical dossier of Eleutherna. Guarducci, however, published epistomion no. 4 in the Loci Incerti, since we know nothing of its… Read more
Preface The Greeks who on the brink of death took with them to the grave a small gold incised lamella died content, feeling assured that special treatment awaited them in the Underworld. Such a statement is, of course, only a hypothesis, as there is no way to ascertain what the deceased themselves thought, or how content they were. This much, however, the texts on the lamellae clearly indicate. The individuals… Read more
Acknowledgments This work has incurred many debts in the past years, which I gratefully and appreciatively acknowledge; for the work’s shortcomings I alone am responsible. First and foremost, I am immensely indebted to the colleagues who forthrightly informed me of their excavations, placed at my disposal all the necessary information of their intriguing findings, made every effort to facilitate my work in the Rethymno and Herakleion Museums, and undertook the… Read more
References Abegg, M. G. et al., eds. 1999. The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible. San Francisco. Adcock, F. and D. J. Mosley. 1975. Diplomacy in Ancient Greece. London. Alexander, P. S. 1984. “Epistolary Literature.” In Stone 1984:579–596. Alster, B. 1987. “A Note on the Uriah Letter in the Sumerian Sargon Legend.” Zeitschrift fur Assyriologie 77:169–173. Read more
Chapter 5. Conclusion Now that we have explored various aspects of the poetics of embedded letters in Josephus and in other Greek authors, we have left to ask, why does Josephus use all of these letters? Such a question is another important element of epistolary poetics, since it can help us to understand Josephus’ literary and cultural aims. This final chapter will attempt to answer this question… Read more
Chapter 4. Epistolary Reliability According to Herodotus’ story of Cyrus’ accession, the Median general Harpagus is tricked by Astyages into cannibalizing his own son (1.119). Harpagus seeks revenge (123.1) by preparing the Median aristocracy for a revolt against Astyages. He then transmits a letter to Cyrus in the belly of a hare. The letter encourages Cyrus to cause a revolt among the Persians and then to march against… Read more
Chapter 3. Basic Epistolary Functions Scholars have often placed letters into categories based on their specific purpose, whether it was to extend an invitation, make a recommendation, or provide instruction, to name but a few common themes. [1] More broadly than these themes, letters had basic functions that make up an important part of embedded epistolary poetics. As shown in the discussion on historical… Read more
