Mnamon

Ancient writing systems in the Mediterranean

A critical guide to electronic resources

Cypro-Syllabic

- 9th-2nd c. BC


Examples of writing



Limestone funerary from Timokypra

Limestone funerary from Timokypra

Limestone funerary stele from Gialia (Marion region), 6th c. BC. Nicosia, Cyprus Museum, Ins. S. 70. Sinistroverse.

ti-mo-ku-pa-ra-se
ta o-na-si-ku-po-ro

Τιμοκύπρας
τᾶ(ς) Ὀνασικύπρω

(Stele) of Timokypra
(daughter) of Onasikypros



Royal dedication from Paphos

Royal dedication from Paphos

Dedication of the Paphian king Onasicharis, inscribed on limestone blocks probably intended to be inserted into a wall. 6th c. BC. Kouklia archaeological museum, KA 2098+2141. Old Paphian syllabary, sinistroverse.

o­-na­-si­-ka­-ri­-wo-­se
 |
 to-­pa­-po­-pa­-si­-le­-wo­-se
 |
 to­-sa­-ta­-si

wo­-se 
| 
to­-pa­-po­-pa­-si­-le­-wo­-se  sa­-ta­-si­-pi­-li­-ta­-u


Ὀνασιχάριϝoς τῶ Πάφω βασιλῆϝoς τῶ Στάσι-
ϝoς τῶ Πάφω βασιλῆϝoς Στασιφιλίδαυ

(Consecration) of Onasicharis, king of Paphos, (son) of Sta-
sis, king of Paphos, Stasifilides



Funerary stele from Amathous

Funerary stele from Amathous
Source: https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl010130777

Limestone funerary stele from Amathous. Paris, Louvre AM 1857. Sinistroverse. Greek anthroponym with the Eteocypriot ending -so.

pu-nu-to-so

(Stele) of Pnutos




Silver siglos of Stasandros

Silver siglos of Stasandros
Source: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b85350970

Silver siglos of Stasandros, king of Paphos. 5th c. BC. Paris, Cabinet des médailles, Babelon 749A. Legend on the reverse, sinistroverse.

sa-ta-sa-to
pa-si

Στασά(ν)δρω
βασι( )

(Coin) of Stasandros
king



Marble base from Tamassos

Marble base from Tamassos
Source: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1892-1213-11

Marble base with bilingual inscription, Phoenician / Greek (Cypro-Syllabic), from Tamassos, 4th c. BC. London, British Museum, 1892,1213.11. Sinistroverse.

to-na-ti-ri-a-ta-ne   to-nu · e-to-ke-ne
ka-se · o-ne-te-ke-ne   ma-na-se-se
o-no-me-ni-o-ne   to-i-ti-o-i
to-i-a-pe-i-lo-ni   to-i-e-le-wi
ta-i   i-tu-ka-i

Τὸν ἀ(ν)δριά(ν)ταν τόν(ν)υ ἔδωκεν
κὰς ὀνέθηκεν Μνάσης
ὁ Νωμηνίων τῶι θιῶι
τῶι Ἀπείλωνι τῶι Ἑλεϝί-
ται ἰ(ν) τύχαι

This statuette gave
and consecrated Mnases
(son) of Nomenios to the god
Apollo Elewi-
tas; to the (good) fortune