The Earliest Attic Graffito on Stone from the Acropolis

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James Lloyd
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published on 19 December 2012
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The Earliest Attic Graffito on Stone from the Acropolis Download Full Size Image

This is an amazing example of one of the earliest examples of Greek writing, dating to the 8th C. BC. It is written "boustrophedon", which means, rather than being read as English is, from left to right, every other line is flipped over, both in the way in which the letters face, and the direction in which it should be read. This, along with the early nature of the Greek letters, has made this graffito rather difficult to translate!

Epigraphical Museum of Athens
EM 5365
IGI3 1418

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About the Author

James Lloyd
James' main area of research is ancient Greek music, but he has general interests in mythology, religion, and art & archaeology. A self-confessed philhellene, James keeps at least one eye on the Roman pie.

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APA Style

Lloyd, J. (2012, December 19). The Earliest Attic Graffito on Stone from the Acropolis. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/989/the-earliest-attic-graffito-on-stone-from-the-acro/

Chicago Style

Lloyd, James. "The Earliest Attic Graffito on Stone from the Acropolis." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified December 19, 2012. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/989/the-earliest-attic-graffito-on-stone-from-the-acro/.

MLA Style

Lloyd, James. "The Earliest Attic Graffito on Stone from the Acropolis." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 19 Dec 2012. Web. 21 Feb 2025.

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