Translation of a very tricky Linear B tablet, Knossos KN 913 D k 01 by Rita Roberts

Translation of a very tricky Linear B tablet, Knossos KN 913 D k 01 by Rita Roberts:

Knossos tablet KN 913 D k 01 translation by Rita Roberts

The decipherment of this tablet is far from clear-cut, and all because of 1 word, paro, the first on both lines 1 and 2. This word very likely corresponds to the ancient Greek pa/loj (palos) = a lot (cast), meaning a lot cast by one or more people to decide who is obliged to do something, and in this case, which is apparently a religious context, that something is the sacrifice of a billy goat and a she goat. Etowono got the lot for the ram, probably the long stick, if that is what it was, given that we are dealing with a ram here. Komawete got the short one for the she goat. It kind of makes sense, and in fact there would seem to be no other rational interpretation of this tablet. It is one of the trickiest I have ever assigned to Rita, and this aroused her suspicions in the first place. Because she could not possibly have recognized the (archaic or ancient) Greek for paro, I had to delve into that word. Otherwise, her translation is highly commendable, and deserves a full 100 %.

 

4 responses to “Translation of a very tricky Linear B tablet, Knossos KN 913 D k 01 by Rita Roberts”

  1. […] Source: Translation of a very tricky Linear B tablet, Knossos KN 913 D k 01 by Rita Roberts […]

  2. ritaroberts Avatar

    WOW ! tricky indeed. Thanks Richard.

    1. vallance22 Avatar

      AND YOU GOT IT! The appearance of PARO on two lines bugged me, and that is why I pursued it. It is a good thing I did, because now we BOTH know our decipherments are RIGHT!

  3. […] Source: Translation of a very tricky Linear B tablet, Knossos KN 913 D k 01 by Rita Roberts […]

Sappho, spelled (in the dialect spoken by the poet) Psappho, (born c. 610, Lesbos, Greece — died c. 570 BCE). A lyric poet greatly admired in all ages for the beauty of her writing style.

Her language contains elements from Aeolic vernacular and poetic tradition, with traces of epic vocabulary familiar to readers of Homer. She has the ability to judge critically her own ecstasies and grief, and her emotions lose nothing of their force by being recollected in tranquillity.

Marble statue of Sappho on side profile.

Designed with WordPress

Discover more from Minoan Linear A, Mycenaean Linear B and Arcado-Cypriot Linear C

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading