Dipylon jug
The Dipylon jug is an archaeological find that was found in a burial site near the Dipylon , the main gate of ancient Athens . The jug ( oinochoe ) dates from around 740 BC. BC and possibly contains the oldest alphabetical Greek inscription.
The inscription begins to the left of the handle, runs to the left ( left-hand writing direction ) and reads:
" Whoever dances and plays most gracefully of all dancers may (receive this jug)".
A round dance and playing with a phorminx are depicted on the neck of the oinochoe . It has a height of 22.5 centimeters. In research, it is controversial whether the jug or the Nestor beaker bears the oldest preserved Greek inscription written in alphabetical letters; However, it is considered to be the oldest inscription of this type found in motherland Greece.
The inscription of the Dipylon jug
Inscription on the other side
