Drawing of a boat

((:navis))


Description of Drawing (English): boat
Findspot: Smyrna, Basilica (Agora.1)
Drawing Category: Boats
Writing Style: charcoal
  • Graffito Height: 34
  • Graffito Length: 24
Bibliography: Bagnall, R. S. et al., Graffiti from the Basilica in the Agora of Smyrna (2016): 178.
Commentary: Dipinto of a ship located on the western face of Pier A25, looking into Bay 14. The drawing is very schematic: it depicts a ship sailing on starboard tack. The hull is rounded and the keel is strongly rockered, terminating in a raised prow with a short, pointed στόλος. One line running at the center of the hull indicates the ship’s waterway. The stern is mostly faded. Four diagonal lines, one by the prow, two toward the center of the vessel, and one close to the stern, identify the καλῴδια, a series of ropes that fastened the mast to the ends and sides of the ship. The mast and the antenna are rendered with simple straight lines, and toward the top of the mast is visible a very approximate carchesium (καρχήσιον). No oars or sails are discernible.
Suggested Citation: AGP-SMYD00143, The Ancient Graffiti Project, <http://ancientgraffiti.org/Graffiti/graffito/AGP-SMYD00143> [accessed: 18 Apr 2024]
Contributions:

Editor: Roger S. Bagnall

Principal Contributor: Roger S. Bagnall

Last Revision: 2016-10-03