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New Texts, New Writing:

Transcribing Ancient Papyri

Daniel King

Modern versions of Classical texts

Most people commonly encounter Classical works through Penguin editions (or other translations).

Modern critical editions

These are primarily translations of various modern critical editions of earlier manuscripts or papyri.

Texts from different periods

The critical editions and translations of the last two slides are far more readable than those of earlier periods. Here are three (hypothetical) examples from different periods to dramatise the distinctions between periods and texts.

A Very Modern TextJULIETO Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?Deny thy father and refuse thy name;Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,And I'll no longer be a Capulet.ROMEO[Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?JULIET'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

Texts from different periods (ii)

A medieval / early modern manuscript

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?Deny thy father and refuse thy name;Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,̲ ̲ ̲ ̲ ̲And I'll no longer be a Capulet.̲ ̲ ̲ ̲ ̲Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

An ancient text

OROMEOROMEOWHEREFOREARTTHOUROMEODENYTHYFATHERANDREFUSETHYNAMEORIFTHOUWILTNOTBEBUTSWORNMYLOVE̲ ̲ ̲ ̲ ̲ANDILLNOLONGERBEACAPULET̲ ̲ ̲ ̲ ̲SHALLIHEARMOREORSHALLISPEAKATTHISTISBUTTHYNAMETHATISMYENEMY

Texts from different periods (iii)

I haven’t attached here photograph of any papyri or photos of manuscripts, but I encourage

you to consult the websites listed below for some real images and further information.

British Library Collection of Greek Manuscripts: https://www.bl.uk/greek-manuscripts

British Library Papyri Collection: https://www.bl.uk/collection-guides/papyri

Papyri from Tebtynis (small town in Fayum, Egypt):

https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bancroft-library/tebtunis-papyri/images-of-

tebtunis-papyri