BMCR 1992.03.03

Corpus of Mycenaean Inscriptions from Knossos, Vol. II (1064-4495)

, Corpus of Mycenaean Inscriptions from Knossos, Vol. II (1064-4495). Incunabula Graeca vol. 88. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986-1998. ISBN 9780521320221. $175.00 (hb).

This continuation of the Corpus exhibits all the virtues already noted in Volume I, incorporating as it does the most complete possible two-dimensional publication of the Knossos tablets, with photograph, facsimile drawing, transcription, classificat ion, find-spot, hand, and appropriate textual notes for each of the tablets included. Since it is assumed that this volume will be used in conjunction with Volume I, where the Preface lays out the purpose and plan of the projected four volumes, as well as the conventions to be used, only additional remarks are included as Preface here. Most notable is the listing of the new joins involving tablets in this volume.

Previous publication of the Knossos tablets has been incomplete or inadequate in various ways, with only The Knossos Tablets IV, which was produced by three of the present editors, coming close to the Corpus in coverage, but including only transcriptions of the texts. Random but extensive checking on the readings shows that there have been comparatively few changes; this along with the remarkably clear photographs and drawings gives the user a feeling of confidence and security. Also the Corpus and KT IV will continue to be used together, since although the order of tablets by accession order in the Corpus makes sense from the point of view of find-spots and hands, KT IV with the tablets arranged by classes is more immediately useful for work on particular subjects.

It is to be hoped that the final volume will include not only the promised complete list of sign-groups but also, for convenience, indexes of find-spots and hands.