Journal Article

ANCORA SULL'ISCRIZIONE DEMOTICA DI ELEFANTINA

Rogoznica, Nives, Bresciani, Edda, Menchetti, Angiolo, Giannotti, Sara, Gorini, Chiara, Grassi, Luca

2003

Overview

This paper offers a new edition of the of «Demotic graffito from Elephantine», first published by Erich of Lüddeckens in 1971. This inscription is dated to 277 BC, the month of Mechir. As in a flashback, the text mentions the following events: (i) the invasion of Egypt by Artaxerses III and (ii) its effects on the rise of the price of corn, (iii) the collapse of the tempie of Satet at Elephantine during the second year of the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphos; (iv) the date and célébration of the wedding between Ptolemy II and his sister Arsinoe II (mentioned as nȝ pr-ʿȝ.w) on the 30th of Mesore 278 BC.; (v) Ptolemy's decision to reduce the price of corn; (vi) the beginning of the reconstruction of the temple of Satet, in 277 BC, the month of Tibi; (vii) the date of the inscription and the discovery of three earlier temples during the foundation works for the new building of Satet. The present edition offers significantly new readings and a new historical interpretation of the inscription.

• Publisher: EDIZIONI PLUS Università di Pisa