Dijkstra, Jitse H. F.
Syene I: The figural and textual graffiti from the temple of Isis at Aswan

With a contribution on the Egyptian texts by Eugene Cruz-Uribe.

The volume presents all 352 graffiti from the temple, both figures and texts, ranging from the 3rd century BCE until the 19th century CE, and places them within their architectural context. After a general introduction, the volume catalogues the Figurative Graffiti structured by motive groups (Construction Graffiti, Feet, Animals, Gods and Men, Boats, Crosses, Miscellaneous) and the Textual Graffiti grouped as Hieroglyphic and Demotic Texts, Greek and Coptic Texts, and Modern Texts. In the book, the Graffiti are presented mostly as drawings; additionally, the CD-ROM enclosed provides photographies. Two appendices publish boat graffiti from a Late Antique quay wall at Elephantine, and a list of all graffiti published in Assuan with the catalogue number of their re-edition in this book. - The graffiti provide us with many fascinating snapshots of religious life, and other activities, in the long period in which the building was used and reused. In Ancient Egypt, especially in the Graeco-Roman period, the practice was widespread for worshippers to leave graffiti on the walls of temples, often with religious intentions. Graffiti from temples are therefore a treasure trove for the study of personal piety in Ancient Egypt, as well as in later periods when temples remained attractive to Christians. 239 Seiten mit 279 Textabb. und 42 Tafeln sowie einer CD-ROM, Großformat, gebunden (Beiträge zur ägyptischen Bauforschung und Altertumskunde; Band 18/Syene; Band 1/Joint Archaeological Mission at Aswan: Swiss Institute for Architectural and Archaeological Research on Ancient Egypt in Cairo - Schweizerisches Institut für Ägyptische Bauforschung und Altertumskunde; The Supreme Council of Antiquities, Inspectorate Aswan/Philipp von Zabern 2012) leichte Lagerspuren