A new translation by researchers in the United Kingdom has revealed that an ancient Greek inscription found on a marble tablet dating back to 2000 years ago is something that resembles a yearbook for a graduating Class.
Peter Liddel, University of Manchester, said that the inscription was kept in the National Museums Scotland collection over 130 years and never properly examined until researchers found it.
Liddel said that this is one of three Athenian inscriptions found in Edinburgh. It’s one of a few inscriptions left in Scotland.
Liddel serves on the editorial board of Attic Inscriptions Online. The project published the updated translation on May 31.
The inscription was a concise “classbook,” which listed the names of young men in a group who had completed their year-long military and civic training.
Researchers have identified 31 names. Some of the names are nicknames such as Theogas or Dionysas. Researchers said that it was unusual for graduates to use their shorter names. This likely suggests that they had a sense camaraderie. The 31 names they gave are likely a subset from the entire class of about 100 men.
The inscription’s end translates to “of Caesar”, which refers to Claudius, fourth ruler of ancient Roman Empire between A.D. 41 and 54. This phrasing indicates that the inscription was written during his reign.
Liddel stated that it is not common for researchers to find new Athenian inscriptions in the U.K. They assumed that it was a copy from an existing inscription in Oxford, England.
Liddel stated that the inscription was a brand new document and something completely different to anything else.
Attic Inscriptions UK Collections is a British-funded research program that works with collections in the U.K. to search, examine, edit, and translate Athenian Inscriptions they make online.
Liddel stated that this inscription, along with other museum collections, is part of the puzzle of ancient history.
Liddel stated that there are no objective accounts of ancient historical events. “What we need to do is reconstruct ancient history from the fragments available, and this is one example.”
Lauren Hodges, Patrick Jarenwattananon edited and produced the audio version.
