Inscriptions from Mysia

Abstract

Most of the following inscriptions were copied on a tour through the country of the Rhyndacus and Macestus in the autumn of 1894. A few were added on a hasty visit to Balukiser and Balia in September 1896. I have arranged them geographically in a zigzag line, from Brusa westwards to Cyzicus, then south-eastwards to Tavshanli and the plain of Simav, and then westwards again by Balat, Kebsud, Balukiser, and Balia to the Aesepus. For the precise position of the several places, and for topographical details, I may refer to a paper by Mr. H. M. Anthony and myself published in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, February and March 1897. Prof. W. C. F. Anderson, who accompanied me on both journeys, has kindly allowed me to compare his readings of the inscriptions with mine, and in one instance I have adopted his copy in preference to my own. I have not repeated any inscriptions which I have found to be already published, unless I believed that I could make material additions or corrections. Many of the following inscriptions will appear to be of little or no importance, but in Asia Minor much light may be thrown on the ethnology, religion, and civilization of a district by mere nomenclature and spelling. The work of Prof. W. M. Ramsay has shown how much may be learnt from the epitaphs and dedications of semi-barbarous peasants. Several of these inscriptions, however, are of some interest, for example No. 27 for political history, Nos. 13 and 67 for historical geography, and Nos. 48 and 64 for the religion of the country.