Preferred Citation: Tracy, Stephen V. Athenian Democracy in Transition: Attic Letter-Cutters of 340 to 290 B.C.. Berkeley:  University of California Press,  c1995 1995. http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft5290060z/


 
The Cutter of IG II2 1262 Dates: ca. 320-ca. 296

IG II2 1262 line 17

The reading of this line in both instances is inline image, not inline image (IG ). inline image is clearly a transliteration of a foreign word; it is not, so far as I can determine, attested elsewhere. The closest reflex I can discover is inline image, the name of a place on the west side of Thebes in Egypt that is known from papyri of the mid-second century B.C.[7] According to Wilcken the word transcribes an Egyptian phrase meaning "the grave of Nbunn " and may be a reference to the grave of the high priest Nb-wnnf of Rameses II (1290-1224 B.C. ). Given the existence in Attica before 333/2 of shrines of Isis (IG II2 337 lines 43-45) and Ammon (IG II2 338 line 14),[8] it is

[6] On these decrees see above 22 n. 99.

[7] U. Wilcken, Urkunden der Ptolemäerzeit II (Berlin 1957) pp. 129-136 nos. 175a-c, esp. p. 133.

[8] Ammon had a special interest for the Greeks as having an important oracle (Dow, "The Egyptian Cults in Athens," HThR 30 [1937] 183-232, esp. 184-185). Alexander's visit to that oracle is legendary. The Athenian generals of the year 333/2 sacrificed to Ammon (IG II 1496 lines 96-97). Ammon also has important associations with Thebes as the major tutelary god of the city. In addition, Rameses II's tomb was located to the west of Thebes.


146

not impossible that there was an association of devotees of an ancient Theban (Egyptian) cult in Piraeus in the late fourth century B.C.


The Cutter of IG II2 1262 Dates: ca. 320-ca. 296
 

Preferred Citation: Tracy, Stephen V. Athenian Democracy in Transition: Attic Letter-Cutters of 340 to 290 B.C.. Berkeley:  University of California Press,  c1995 1995. http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft5290060z/