The BSA Greek Epigraphy course provides training for historians, archaeologists and textual scholars in the discipline of reading and interpreting epigraphic evidence. The course will allow students to deepen their understanding of the value of epigraphic material to the study of Greek history, society and culture, and to develop practical epigraphic skills: students will be guided through the process of producing editions of inscriptions, gaining first-hand experience with the stones as well as instruction in editorial practice and bibliographic skills.
The course will be taught around the BSA’s own Museum collection, which contains a large range of inscribed objects (graffiti, stamps, instrumenta domestica, weights, and weapons) and will also utilise the most significant collections of stone inscriptions around Athens, in particular at the superb facilities of the Epigraphic Museum, where students will each be assigned a stone from which they will create their own epigraphic edition.
The course is directed by Peter Liddel (Manchester) and Polly Low (Durham), with additional lectures and tours offered by guest speakers. The importance of understanding inscriptions within their archaeological and topographical contexts will be explored during site visits around Athens and Attica.
Some prior knowledge of Greek is essential, although students with only elementary skills are advised that reading inscriptions is a very good way to advance in the language!
The course fee is £750. This includes BSA one-month membership, housing where self-catering facilities are available, breakfast, meals as specified in the program, required travel within Greece, museum and site fees, one-year museum pass, one-month 24h access to the BSA library. Not included are: international airfare to and from Greece and meals not included in the program. Incidental expenses are the participant’s responsibility.
The next Epigraphy course is expected to take place again in spring/summer 2027.
Please see below for a course programme.
