This monograph, a revised version of the author’s doctoral thesis, offers a comprehensive study of the abbreviations and symbols used in both literary and non-literary papyri from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Although the primary focus is on Greek papyri, Latin examples are also included. The study explores the methods and underlying principles governing word abbreviations and symbols, tracing their evolution over time.
Sourlas’ extensive volume, spanning nearly 650 pages, begins with an introduction which outlines the study’s objectives, the current state of research, and key gaps in the field. The monograph is then divided into two main sections. The first part (Chapters 2–10) addresses a series of fundamental research questions. It opens with Chapter Two, which provides a valuable discussion of the common abbreviation techniques—suspension, contraction, and symbolic representation—used in Greek papyri. Surprisingly, however, the author does not reference shorthand, a unique form of abbreviation in which non-alphabetic symbols represent specific words. While shorthand is primarily found in documentary texts, a few literary works are also known to include tachygraphic symbols, particularly in explanatory marginalia. This omission is notable, as shorthand represents an important and distinctive aspect of abbreviation techniques in ancient Greek writing.[1] Additionally, the brief examination of the reasons behind the use of abbreviations and symbols at the beginning of the chapter feels somewhat underdeveloped. The observations made are mostly self-explanatory and do not probe deeply into the broader cultural, practical, or historical factors that may have influenced the development and adoption of these techniques. A more detailed exploration of these motivations would have enriched the discussion and provided a more nuanced understanding of the context in which these abbreviation methods were employed. Chapter Three stands out as particularly insightful, offering a detailed comparison of the various abbreviation techniques found in papyri from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. This chapter goes beyond a mere catalog of symbols; it thoughtfully juxtaposes the abbreviations from each period, highlighting both the continuities and shifts in usage over time. By drawing these comparisons, the author provides a deeper understanding of how the symbolic systems developed and how the specific needs of each historical context may have influenced these changes. While the primary focus is on papyrus texts, Chapter Four extends the scope to include symbols and abbreviations found in a range of related materials, including ostraca, wooden tablets, parchments, graffiti, stone inscriptions, linen cloth (such as funerary shrouds), leather, and bones. Chapter Five further broadens the geographical scope by presenting abbreviations and symbols from Greek documentary papyri and other materials discovered outside Egypt, such as in Dura-Europos, the Middle Euphrates region, the Dead Sea area, and Crete, drawing parallels to the Egyptian examples. Chapter Six shifts to the study of abbreviations in Greek literary papyri, building on McNamee’s foundational studies from 1981 and 1985,[2] and incorporating numerous examples from later papyrus editions and other materials. However, abbreviations and symbols in magical and astrological texts are only briefly mentioned, with the author’s interest in these areas confined to a short footnote (n. 239 on p. 134). This limited attention may leave readers seeking a more extensive examination of these specialized texts somewhat dissatisfied, especially given the significant role such genres played in the broader use of abbreviations and symbols in ancient manuscripts. Chapter Seven explores the fundamental techniques and principles of abbreviations and the use of symbols in both literary and non-literary Latin texts, across a range of materials (papyrus, parchment, ostraca, wooden tablets, etc.) and regions, including Egypt, Israel, Syria, present-day England, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria, and beyond. It also attempts a brief comparative analysis of the Greek and Latin systems of abbreviation and symbolic notation. Chapter Eight tackles the challenges posed by the misinterpretation of abbreviations and symbols by modern editors. It offers a succinct review of notable cases of misreading and, more importantly, delves into the critical role that abbreviations and symbols can play in dating ancient texts. By examining how these textual features evolve over time, the chapter demonstrates their potential as chronological markers, shedding light on the broader implications of their use for establishing more accurate temporal frameworks for papyri and inscriptions. Chapter Nine investigates the use of the Greek alphabet in representing numbers, alongside symbols denoting fractions. Finally, Chapter Ten centers on abbreviations and symbols in Greek inscriptions from Egypt and Nubia, drawing extensively on Avi-Yonah’s seminal 1940 study.[3] The chapter highlights the paleographical connections between abbreviations and symbols across both papyrological and epigraphic corpora, carefully examining how these features manifest similarly in inscriptions and papyri from these regions. By comparing and contrasting these two types of material evidence, the chapter offers new insights into the shared conventions and evolving practices of abbreviation and symbolic notation in Greek texts. This comparative approach elucidates the broader cultural and historical contexts in which these texts were produced.
The second part of the book, arguably its most significant section, consists of a single chapter that spans over 400 pages, which might have been more appropriately placed as an appendix rather than as a central chapter. Nevertheless, this section presents a highly valuable index of symbols and abbreviations found in Greek non-literary papyri from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The index is thorough, including numerous variations and, at times, photographs of the corresponding abbreviations or symbols, making it an indispensable resource for future research. While many of the images suffer from poor resolution, the index nonetheless stands as a crucial reference for scholars seeking to engage with the complexities of abbreviations and symbols in ancient Greek papyrus texts.
There is little doubt that a comprehensive study of the abbreviations and symbols found in both literary and non-literary papyri from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods is long overdue in the field. This book attempts to fill that gap, offering a thorough analysis of these often-overlooked elements and providing valuable insights into their usage and significance during these periods. However, it is regrettable that Sourlas’ book suffers from disproportionate sections—an issue that could have been easily addressed. In the first part, the author occasionally over-explains concepts, reiterating points unnecessarily. These redundant explanations, along with the excessive length of the footnotes, contribute to the book’s overall bulk. Streamlining or removing these would significantly reduce its length, making it more user-friendly and accessible. At times, the style adopts an explanatory approach more suited to a general audience, which undermines its appeal to scholarly readers and risks diminishing the depth expected of a work of this nature. While the didactic tone is fitting for a doctoral dissertation, the book would have benefitted from further refinement to meet the expectations of a broader academic audience.
Moreover, the book’s organization suffers from an unfortunate structural decision. The conclusions are relegated to a separate “part,” positioned as a distinct third section at the very end of the book, following the extensive 400-page index of symbols and abbreviations. This brief, seven-page chapter feels disconnected from the rest of the work, disrupting the flow of the argument and appearing detached from the theoretical discussion that precedes it. Such a placement creates a disjointed reading experience, detracting from the overall coherence of the study. Integrating the conclusions more seamlessly into the main body—perhaps as a concluding section at the end of the first part—would have enhanced the book’s structure, providing a more fluid and cohesive narrative. Ultimately, these structural issues undermine what could otherwise be a more polished and impactful scholarly work. Additionally, the absence of a subject index significantly detracts from the reader’s ability to navigate the content effectively.
In addition to these structural concerns, the book contains several blank pages where printed text should appear (e.g., pp. 145, 148–149, 152–153, 156–157, 160). While not the author’s fault, these printing errors disrupt the continuity of the reading experience and hinder comprehension.
Despite these drawbacks, there is no doubt that Ilias Sourlas has produced a work of considerable value—both comprehensive and indispensable to scholars across a range of disciplines. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, he has crafted a definitive reference on this often-overlooked aspect of ancient texts. The book’s depth and scope ensure it will be an essential resource for both seasoned researchers and newcomers to the field, though the use of Modern Greek may limit its immediate readership. Nonetheless, the language barrier is less of an issue in the index section, which is poised to become required reading for papyrologists, classicists, and anyone interested in the complex system of abbreviations and symbols found in literary and non-literary papyri from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
Notes
[1] See H. J. M. Milne, Greek Shorthand Manuals: Syllabary and Commentary, London 1934; S. Torallas Tovar and K. A. Worp, To the Origins of Greek Stenography (P.Monts. Roca I), Barcelona 2006.
[2] K. McNamee, Abbreviations in Greek Literary Papyri and Ostraca (BASP Supplement 3), Chico, Ca 1981; K. McNamee, “Abbreviations in Greek literary papyri and ostraca. Supplement with list of ghost abbreviations”, Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists 22 (1985) 205–225.
[3] M. Avi-Yonah, Abbreviations in Greek Inscriptions: The Near East, 200 B.C.—. A.D. 1100 (The Quarterly of the Department of Antiquities in Palestine: Supplement to vol. ix.), London 1940 (repr. 1974).