Name

[---] ἐ̣ξ̣ώ̣λη σου
[---] ἀ̣δε̣λ̣φὸς̣ ἐξώλη
[τῷ] [ἀναγιν]ώ̣σ̣κοντι
[---Τ]ροφίμη
[---] +ΝΕΘΗΣ
[---] +ΑΙ ΕΝΟΗΓΑΣ
Θάλλος


Findspot: Smyrna, Basilica (Agora.1)
Language: Greek
Writing Style: charcoal
  • Graffito Height: 35
  • Graffito Length: 30
  • Min Letter Height: 2
  • Max Letter Height: 2
Apparatus Criticus: 1–2. ἐξώλης, “utterly destroyed,” is common, with numerous examples in the epigraphy of Asia Minor in phrases like ἐξώλης εἴη καὶ τὰ αὐτοῦ πάντα or ἐξώλης εἴη καὶ αὐτὸς καὶ γένος τὸ ἐκείνου (see PHI Greek Inscriptions for instances, and the comprehensive treatment in Strubbe, J. H. M., Arai epitymbioi: imprecations against desecrators of the grave in the Greek epitaphs of Asia Minor, a catalogue (1997). It is not completely clear if it should be accusative in line 1 as divided here, but the form in line 2 certainly is. The overall syntax is not evident, but it seems likely that destruction is being wished on the reader in line 3. There is a long history of graffiti wishing various ills on their reader; cf., e.g., Milnor, K., Graffiti and the Literary Landscape in Roman Pompeii (2014): 75. 4. Trophime is common in Asia Minor, with two examples in LGPN 5A 435 from Smyrna. The second graffito could also be the common noun θαλλός, referring to the olive shoots of which crowns were made. But the name is common in Asia (LGPN 5A 209, 5B 190) and seems more likely.
Bibliography: Bagnall, R. S. et al., Graffiti from the Basilica in the Agora of Smyrna (2016): 332-333.
Suggested Citation: AGP-SMYT00331, The Ancient Graffiti Project, <http://ancientgraffiti.org/Graffiti/graffito/AGP-SMYT00331> [accessed: 09 May 2024]
Contributions:

Editor: Roger S. Bagnall

Principal Contributor: Roger S. Bagnall

Last Revision: 2016-10-03