ARCHITECTURAL INSCRIPTION. 



581 



syllable of the pronoun OTTOS throughout all the cases. The dative 

 cases ending in A, E, O, are distinguished by the iota adscript. 



A fac-simile of the inscription was engraved at the expence of the 

 Dilettanti Society, and was submitted to the learned of the age for 

 observation and remark. It seems, however, to have elicited little 

 or no illustration, for it is introduced with a few scanty notes in the 

 volume of inscriptions subsequently published by Chandler. 



In attempting the translation of this remarkable piece of early 

 writing, Chandler has failed in many instances, through the want of 

 that architectural knowledge which those intimately acquainted with 

 the details of Grecian buildings alone possess. In transcribing the 

 inscription he has likewise erred in many important points, besides 

 omitting several passages he was unable to decipher. 



The errors and omissions of that learned author chiefly occur in 

 the terms of art, and in passages relating to the particulars of the 

 building ; and hence it is that one who possesses a competent know- 

 ledge of ancient architecture, although professing to have but a 

 moderate acquaintance with the Greek language, may hope, by avail- 

 ing himself of the labours of a more learned precursor, to give an 

 interpretation of this technical inscription with better success, and to 

 transcribe it with fewer errors. 



The transcript would have been less perfect but for the assistance 

 of an eminent scholar, who, possessing a profound knowledge of 

 Attic Greek, was enabled to decipher some passages of importance. 

 To Mr. Elmsley I am indebted for the latter part of the forty-second 

 line in the first column, and part of the ninety-first in the second, 

 besides some other readings of less moment, which are noticed as 

 they occur. 



I purpose dividing the inscription into its several passages, and at 

 the same time to introduce such corrections as a laborious and atten- 

 tive examination of the original marble, and a cast I caused to be 

 taken, enable me to state with confidence. In doing this, I shall 

 divest the original of those archaisms which belong to an early period 

 of the Greek language. 



