Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics

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Dipylon Vase Inscription
(1,058 words)

Abstract

The so-called ‘Dipylon Vase Inscription’ from Athens (late Geometric period, ca. 740-730 BCE) is probably the oldest comprehensible Greek alphabetic text. It is carved on a wine jug (oenochoe) and its two verses (in continuous retrograde script) apparently name the vessel itself as a prize for the winner in a dancing competition.

The so-called ‘Dipylon Vase Inscription’ is a short text ( graffito , after firing) incised around the shoulder of a wine jug ( oenochoe ) from the Late Geometric period (ca. 740-730 BCE). The wine jug was found in A…

Cite this page
Panagiotis Filos, “Dipylon Vase Inscription”, in: Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek Language and Linguistics, General Editor: Georgios K. Giannakis. Consulted online on 02 December 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2214-448X_eagll_SIM_00000449>
First published online: 2013



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