De titulis olbiae ponticae et viciniis II 4. Again About the Berezan Hymn to the Island and Achilles

Abstract

The paper analyzes again the unique Greek inscription – the votive poem honouring Achillesgod and his island founded in 1987 on the Berezan. The purpose of the study is to analyze the reading options of the famous Berezan hymn to the island and Achilles and establish which of them most closely matches the idea of the ancient poet and the current state of the work he created. Scientific novelty . For the first time, a comprehensive study of all the versions of the Berezan votive reconstruction proposed in world science is undertaken. The research methodology is based on the principle of scientific objectivity and the generally accepted methods, and the technique of historical and epigraphic discipline. Conclusions . The criteria for the restoration of this epigraphic document have been determined. The boundaries of the permissible in its reconstruction have been established. The meaning, structure and condition of the inscription correspond to the version published by the author in 1990 the most closely: [Κυκλο]τeρὲς κτeάτισμα θeῶν| [Ἀχιλῆο]ς ὄχημα, νῆσσe πeρικλυ|[τή. ἥ], κύμασι γηθομένη, σὸν πέ|[ρι eἴ]ληχeν Θέτιδος γόνος αἷμα|[ἔνeρ]θe Αἰακίδης Ἀχιλλeὺς ἀθα|[νατοῖ]σιν ἵσος. Ἀλλ’ Ἀχιλλeῦ δέ|[ξ’ eὔθυ]σίην καὶ eἵλλαος ἴσθι ἡμeτέ|ρ[αν ὁσιὴ]ν μοῦσαν ἀπὸ γραφίδος. “Oh, carved around the gods’ property, Achilles’ chariot, glorious, wave-rejoiced island. You, who before all received your blood as an inheritance, the child of Thetis, equal to the immortals below (= in hell) Achilles Eakid. You, O Achilles, receive a good sacrifice and, merciful, acknowledge (= accept) our (outgoing) pious muse”.