
The modern rediscovery of the Greek and Latin papyri from Egypt has transformed our knowledge of the ancient world. We cannot, however, make the same claim in the specific area of language study. Although important studies of the language of the papyri have appeared sporadically over the past century, we are still dealing today with a linguistic resource of extraordinary richness which has hardly begun to be explored. Every scrap of papyrus and every ostracon (potsherd) or tablet unearthed has the potential to change some aspect of the way we think about the Greek and Latin languages. This book demonstrate that potential, by gathering together essays from seventeen scholars who present a variety of perspectives and methodological approaches. The Language of the Papyri charts current directions of international research, and will also provide a stimulus for future work.
This volume investigates the largely untapped linguistic potential of Greek and Latin papyri to reshape our understanding of ancient language development. Editors D. D. Obbink and T. V. Evans curate a collection of essays from seventeen international scholars who examine how these primary source documents—ranging from papyri to ostraca—offer new insights into the evolution of classical languages. The text argues that despite a century of sporadic research, the papyrological record remains a vast, underutilized resource for modern philology.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts recognize this collection as a significant contribution to the field of papyrology, noting its utility in bridging the gap between traditional philology and modern linguistic analysis. Scholars frequently cite the work as a foundational reference for those seeking to understand the diverse methodological approaches applied to ancient documentary texts.
Page Count:
385
Publication Date:
2009-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
019160805X
ISBN-13:
9780191608056
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