The Database of Inscriptions in Greek and Latin Texts - Pilot Project

Among the most distinctive practices of the civilisations of Greek and Roman antiquity (c. 800 BC - c. AD 400) was their habit of inscribing on permanent media such as bronze and stone a huge number and range of texts. Epitaphs, laws, decrees, accounts, letters, religious documents, poetry, and many other genres of text, were regularly recorded in this form. These documents form a major resource for historians of these periods, but also pose an important problem: what is the significance of inscribed texts in ancient Greece and Rome, and how were they perceived by contemporary viewers and readers ... The desirability of producing a corpus of inscriptions in ancient literary texts is widely acknowledged by the academic community, and will be a key resource for those interested in a wide range of historical and cultural questions. Our aim is not, however, merely antiquarian: we believe that the cultural significance of inscriptions can be fully understood only by studying their reception in the ancient world, and that the most easily-accessible, fruitful,and under-exploited resource for this is their discussion by ancient literary authors. This pilot project, directed by Dr. P. Low and Dr P. P. Liddel, with research assistance from Dr. R. Chiapinniello and technical assistance from Dr D. Abbott, aims to test the viability of producing a database collecting those inscriptions which are referred to in Greek and Latin literary texts.