DCLP Transcription [xml]
Introduction
Prescription for an eye-salve. The text is written on the recto of an ostracon and preserves a list of ingredients normally found in ophthalmological recipes (erica, acacia and gum in acharista; tragacanth in pilaria). The hand is a rude uncial assignable to the 4th cent. AD.
καδ̣μ̣< ε>ί̣α̣ς(*) (δραχμαὶ) λβ κ̣<ρ>όκου(*)
(δραχμαὶ) η̣(*) ἐρ<ε>ίκης (δραχμαὶ) ϛ
[ζ]μ̣ύ̣ρ̣νης(*) (δραχμαὶ) ιβ ἥμι-
5 ((eisthesis)) [συ ἀ]κ̣α̣κίας(*)
[(δραχμαὶ) ̣ ̣](*) κό<μ>μεως (δραχμαὶ) κδ
[τραγ]α̣κάνθης(*)
[(δραχμαὶ) ̣ ὀπ]ί̣ο̣υ̣(*) (δραχμαὶ) ϛ βρέχε̣(*)
[ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣]α̣κάνθη(*)
10[ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣]τη
̣[ -ca.?- ]
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Apparatus
^ 1. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : - ca.11 - (δραχμαὶ) κα prev. ed.
^ 2. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ prev. ed.
^ 2. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : κό<κ>κου prev. ed.
^ 3. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : ̣ ̣ ̣ prev. ed.
^ 4. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : ̣ ̣ ̣νης: (or ῥετίνης) prev. ed.
^ 5. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : [ἀκ]α̣κίας prev. ed.
^ 6. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : ̣ ̣ ̣ prev. ed.
^ 7. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : [τραγ]ακάνθης prev. ed.
^ 8. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣] prev. ed.
^ 8-9. β̣ρεχο- (or β̣ρεχό|[μενος]) prev. ed.
^ 9. Youtie, BASP (1977), 41 : [ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣] ̣κάνθη prev. ed.
Notes
- 2.
Above α̣ς and below the second omicron of κ̣ο̣λ̣λ̣υ̣ρ̣ι̣ο̣ν̣ (l. 1), is an unexplained short horizontal.
- 3.
Préaux suggests it should be read κόκκου (“seed”, see Préaux 1956, 144); if the reading is accepted, the recipe is not likely to have any connection with a remedy for eye affections. However, in medical prescriptions seeds are always named and followed by the number of seeds to be used (see Youtie 1977, 42). So κ̣ρόκου (“saffron”) appears more probable, since it is often associated with ophthalmological recipes. Editores principes propose to read either κ̣ρόκου or κόκκου.
- 5.
The line must be indented since there is space for six letters in the lacuna.
- 8.
Préaux suggests that βρέχε̣ (“moisten”) may have concluded the recipe, and a new one begun in l. 9 (Préaux 1956, 144). It is also possible, however, that directions for making the salve occupied another three or more lines (see Gal. Comp.med.sec.loc. 1.8 [12, 491.8]; Orib., Syn. 3.90 [CMG 6.3, 92.18 Raed.]; Paul.Aeg. 7.11.5 [CMG 9.2, 294.22 Heib.])