10

Below is a bit of P.Oxy.2076. Full image of that papyrus here.

Papyrus.

I read it as:

   ϹΑΠΦΟ[
             Β
ΜΙΤ̣I̤ΝΥΔΥ[

The first two lines read Σαπφο[ῦς] Β, i.e. "Sappho [book] 2", but the third line? What could that be saying?

Note

I just realized I hadn't written that, in the above transcription, I distinguish between a single underdot (like under the T), which means a somewhat doubtful letter, and a double underdot (like under the I), which means a letter so doubtful that the given suggestion is just a guess, because e.g. it is only partially present and the rest could lead to many different letters.

2
  • Here is the full scrap.
    – cmw
    Commented Jun 21, 2017 at 22:20
  • William Johnson (Johnson 2004, Bookrolls and scribes in Oxyrhynchus) refers to the scribe who added these marginal scholia as scribe A6 (late 1st or early 2nd century AD). Other papyri by the same scribe - 1809 and 2288. In any case, this is irrelevant to the task of translating Sappho.
    – Alex B.
    Commented Jul 9, 2017 at 4:45

1 Answer 1

4

Lobel-Page (p. 37) give .[.......] γὰρ ἐφίλει δυ[, saying, "Sub coloph. 2076 schol. vestigia...quod quorsum spectet obscurum est." I'm not trained in papyrology (I much prefer inscriptions—far easier to read!), so it's difficult for me to judge, at least without seeing the papyrus in person.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.