Ostrakon

Coptic

Not on view

Pottery fragments with ink inscriptions are called Ostraka. Written in Greek, ostraka represent a Hellenized and elite Christian community in Kharga. This wooden tablet contains a Homeric reference from the Iliad on one side: The tutor of Achilles, Phoinix, and a Trojan archer, Pandaros, are both mentioned. Although the line is fragmentary, these characters are in books 9 and 4 of the Iliad, respectively. A school text on the other side, which suggests that the tablet was used to practice and teach Greek grammar.

Ostrakon, Wood with ink inscription, Coptic

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