Pages: 207-217 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp216207217

The object of our study is a lapidary monument, the so-called “encyclopedia” of signs containing not only pictograms, but also Greek-language monograms, as well as poorly readable individual letters of a multi-line inscription in ancient Greek. All signs on the slab made in different styles are combined into one complex. The names “Neoptolemus” and “Machares” are encrypted in the monograms. We are talking about the commander of Mithridates VI Eupator Dionysus, who defeated the barbarians in two battles on the Bosporus, as well as the son of this sovereign, his governor in the Northern Black Sea region. Tamgas on the slab are symbolic signatures of the leaders of the influential clans of the Northern Black Sea region and Taurica. These designations were placed on the plate at the time of the magical ritual that finalized the conclusion of an agreement on the alliance of barbarian associations with Neoptolemus acting on behalf of Mithridates VI Eupator Dionysus. Unfortunately, the text of the agreement, placed under the monograms and signs, has not survived. The monogram of Machares appeared on the slab later after his arrival in the Bosporus as the governor of the Pontic sovereign.
Subsequently, the signs of the less influential Sarmatian clans that entered into an alliance with the participants in the signing of the agreement were placed on the plate. However, after the death of Machares, this union fell apart. It is not accidental that the slab lacks the monograms of Mithridates VI Eupator Dionysus and Pharnaces II.

Keywords: history, archaeology, epigraphy, Bosporus, Artesian, “encyclopedia” of signs

Information about authors:

Nikolai Vinokurov (Moscow, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Moscow State Pedagogical University. Malaya Pirogovskaya St., 1/1, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
Michael Choref (Nizhnevartovsk, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. N. I. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod. Gagarin Ave., 23, Nizhni Novgorod, 603950, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]