Whether publishing new inscriptions, reinterpreting old discoveries, or critically analysing editions of published texts, the BSA Greek Epigraphy course provides training for historians, archaeologists and textual scholars in the discipline of reading and interpreting epigraphic evidence. Students will be guided through the process of producing editions of inscriptions, gaining practical first-hand experience with the stones as well as instruction in editorial practice and bibliographic skills.
The course will be taught around the BSA’s own Museum collection, which contains a large range of inscribed objects (graffiti, stamps, instrumenta domestica, weights, and weapons) and will also utilise the most significant collections of stone inscriptions around Athens, in particular at the superb facilities of the Epigraphic Museum, where students will each be assigned a stone from which to create a textual edition by close reading of the letters and an understanding of the monument.
The course is directed by Peter Liddel (Manchester) and Polly Low (Durham), with additional lectures and tours offered by guest speakers showing how epigraphic evidence can illuminate a variety of historical and thematic subjects. The importance of understanding inscriptions within their archaeological and topographical contexts will be explored during site visits around Athens.
Some prior knowledge of Greek is essential, although students with only elementary skills are advised that reading inscriptions is a very good way to advance in the language!
We hope to run the next Epigraphy course in 2024; please check back to this webpage for updates. Please see below an indicative itinerary from the latest Greek Epigraphy course (2019).
