Old (Paleo) Phrygian Inscriptions

Phrygian is an Indo-European language. It is most closely related to the Archaic Greek. The Phrygian script is basically the same as the Greek alphabet; there are a few additional Phrygian characters. According to the dating of the inscriptions, the Phrygian language is at least as old as Greek. The inscriptions are classified as old (Paleo-Phrygian) and new (Neo-Phrygian). Old Phrygian inscriptions date from the 8th to 3rd centuries BCE. New Phrygian inscriptions were written in the Greek alphabet belonging to the Roman period and used from the 1st to 3rd centuries CE. Most inscriptions are written sinistroverse (from right to left), but there are also a considerable number of dextroverse (from left to right) and boustrophedon (starting either from left or right but changing direction in alternating lines) inscriptions. Although Phrygian can be read phonetically, it is not fully deciphered yet. The Phrygians left very little written work compared to their contemporaries. These are mostly votive inscriptions found on religious structures such as rock façades, niches, and altars. In addition, there are usually one-word graffiti written on ceramic or metal vessels and thought to be related to daily life.

Below is a list of monumental Old Phrygian (Paleo Phrygian) inscriptions. The given classification numbers follow Obrador-Cursach’s Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions. The inscriptions are described together with their drawings, transliterations, and, if available, suggested translations. Most of the transliterations and translations are based on the Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions. The list includes almost all of the inscriptions written on rock and detached stone monuments but does not include those written on smaller items such as sherds, metalware, seals, etc.