Ostrakon

Unknown

4th–7th century · Wood with ink inscription · Medieval Art

Pottery fragments with ink inscriptions are called Ostraka. Written in Greek, ostraka represent a Hellenized and elite Christian community in Kharga. This wooden tablet contains a Homeric reference from the Iliad on one side: The tutor of Achilles, Phoinix, and a Trojan archer, Pandaros, are both mentioned. Although the line is fragmentary, these characters are in books 9 and 4 of the Iliad, respectively. A school text on the other side, which suggests that the tablet was used to practice and teach Greek grammar.

Artist

Unknown

Date

4th–7th century

Medium

Wood with ink inscription

Culture

Coptic

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Museum Accession