Can Modern Greeks Understand and Read Ancient Scriptures in Ancient Ruins like This One?

Modern Greeks can indeed understand and read some ancient Greek texts, although their proficiency varies. While many are proficient, the clarity of ancient inscriptions depends on several factors, such as the quality of the image, the education received, and the cultural context.

Language Evolution in Ancient and Modern Greek

Ancient Greek, particularly in its various dialects (Attic, Ionic, Doric), is quite different from the Modern Greek spoken today. The grammar, vocabulary, and syntax have undergone significant changes over time. Therefore, understanding ancient inscriptions requires a certain level of linguistic expertise.

The Role of Education

Many Greeks study ancient Greek as part of their formal education, especially those pursuing humanities or classical studies. This education includes the study of classical texts, which aids in comprehending inscriptions and scriptures found in ancient ruins. However, not all modern Greeks have been exposed to these studies, affecting their ability to read and interpret ancient texts.

The Context Behind Historical Inscriptions

The historical and cultural context of inscriptions is crucial for their proper interpretation. For instance, the inscription you mentioned about King Antiochus’s commandment and the subsequent placement of a sign in prominent holy places (temples) is integral to understanding the period and the events. The challenge of comprehending these inscriptions lies in the lack of contextual knowledge and the sometimes ambiguous nature of the language.

Specialized Knowledge and Expertise

Archaeologists, historians, and linguists are often better equipped to interpret ancient inscriptions due to their specialized knowledge. They can decipher the nuances that might be lost on the general public. In the case of the inscription you described, even if parts are blurry or destroyed, some text can still be understood with the right context and expertise.

Better Understanding the Inscription

The text you provided references the Demos of Apollodot and the Laodikeans, indicating a specific group's willingness to comply with the king's command. The inscription mentions putting a sign to follow his emissaries and writing his commandment in a stone stele inside the most prominent holy places of the city. While the image quality may be poor, the general meaning can still be discerned. The text appears to be a decree, probably done to follow a king’s command, as evidenced by the term 'βασιλευking,' and the reference to 'εν τη πολει ιερων,' or holy places in the city.

Even with partially clear images or missing text, as in the case you described, parts of the inscription can still be understood. For example, the phrase '…ΑΝΑΓΡΑΦΕΝ ΤΟ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΓΜΑ…' translates to 'has written this decree…,' indicating that it is indeed a royal decree. Understanding such inscriptions requires context, such as recognizing 'δολον'δουλον, which helps in identifying the dialect and the nature of the text, whether it is legal or administrative in nature.

Real-World Examples and Educational Context

Like reading any complex text, understanding ancient inscriptions can be challenging. Even though modern Greeks can read and understand parts of ancient Greek texts, the full comprehension often requires a specialized education or cultural context. Steve Theodore and Niko Vasileas emphasize the difficulties in understanding ancient texts, including false cognates, lack of context, and specialized language. The example of EU Implementing Regulation 824/2015 is relevant here, as it demonstrates that even in modern texts, full understanding requires specialized knowledge.

To sum up, while modern Greeks can read and understand ancient scriptures to varying degrees, it typically requires specific education and expertise. The cleanness of the image and the presence of missing parts can affect the clarity, but with the right context and linguistic skills, parts of the inscription can still be understood.

Therefore, if you want a more accurate translation of the remaining text, I'd recommend uploading a higher-quality picture. The image you provided is helpful, but there are parts that are blurry or partially missing, which makes the full interpretation difficult.

Key Takeaways:

Ancient Greek texts, especially inscriptions, can be challenging to read but are still accessible with the right education and context. Modern Greeks can read parts of ancient texts, even in low-quality images, but full understanding requires a specialized background and context. The quality of the image greatly affects the ability to interpret inscriptions and scripts.