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Epigraphy (Greek, επιγραφή - "written upon") is the study of inscriptions or epigraphs engraved into stone or other permanent materials, or cast in metal, the science of classifying them as to cultural context and date, elucidating them and assessing what conclusions can be deduced from them. The person who studies this is called and Epigrapher. The study of ancient handwriting, usually in ink, is a separate field, Paleography.
The character of the writing, the subject of epigraphy, is a matter quite separate from the nature of the text, which is studied in itself. Texts are usually inscribed in stone for public view (or the view of the god, as in the Persian Behistun inscription), and so they are essentially different from the written texts of each culture. Not all inscribed texts are public, however: in Minoan culture the deciphered texts of "Linear B" were revealed to be largely temple tallies of tribute for the gods. Informal inscribed texts are "graffiti" in its original sense.
Often only the epigraphic texts have survived. A case in point is the Maya civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, where the written codices were collected and burned in the 16th century; the bulk of remaining epigraphical documentation are the monumental glyphs. Specialist epigraphers have decoded Mayan inscriptions in the 20th century, among them J. Eric S. Thompson, Tatiana Proskouriakoff, Yuri Knorozov, Linda Schele, and David Stuart.
More on [ Epigraphy ]
A Roman Military Diploma from Slavonski Brod - Description of a well preserved example of these ancient documents found in Croatia.
Abbreviations in Latin Inscriptions - Guide to abbreviations in Latin inscriptions compiled by Tom Elliott.
Meta Description: [ Home page of the American Society of Greek and Latin Epigraphy ]
Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum: Finding Aid - Provided by the Princeton University. Overview of volumes and headings.
Lacus Curtius: Latin Inscriptions - Bill Thayer's photographs and transcriptions of Etruscan and Roman inscriptions, arranged as a list for researchers and a self-paced course in Latin epigraphy for students.
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The main page of a Do-it‑Yourself Latin Epigraphy site: you can use it to teach yourself how to read Roman inscriptions (about 25 so far).
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Roman Inscriptions of Britain - Roman expert Guy de la Bédoyère has made available on-line the texts from the standard work 'Roman Inscriptions of Britain', vol.1.
Roman Military Diplomas - Diplomata sorted by emperors, provinces, auxiliary units. Aims to encourage private collectors to provide their diploma fragments for scientific evaluation.
Meta Description: [ museum of roman military diploma, covering various auxiliary units, praetorian cohorts, fleets, provinces ]
Roman Numismatic Gallery: Legionary Stamps on Roman Bricks - Maker marks (usually applied using wooden stamps) on Roman bricks with legionary / military context are presented.
Meta Description: [ Museum of Roman Brick stamps, with brick stamps of Roman legions and Auxiliary Units ]
The Mausoleum of Augustus and the Res Gestae - Latin inscriptions and texts relating to the Mausoleum and inscription from the pillars that were part of the same complex.
Vindolanda Tablets Online - Online edition of the ink writing tablets from the Roman fort at Vindolanda, UK, including texts, translations, notes and digital images.
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