A simple Greek alphabet is inscribed on marble (No. 604) . . . δε . . θικλμνξοπρστυφχψ. A fragment of a syllabic reading or spelling exercise is shown on a piece of pottery (No. 605; fig. 237). Each letter of the alphabet is combined with each vowel in turn, as ρα ρε ρη ρ[ι ρο ρυ ρω] σα σε ση σι σ[ο συ σω] and so on. In the case of ρη the syllable was miswritten ρε and corrected. A school-boy's wax tablet (No. 606; fig. 238) shows on its right half how syllables constitute words as θε ων for θεῶν. A large wooden board with an iron handle (No. 607) is inscribed with lines of Homer (Iliad i., 468 ff.), no doubt for use in school. A fragment of an 'Iliac table,' (No. 608) with a scene from the Iliad (Achilles dragging the body of Hector round Troy, and Achilles conversing with Athena) was probably also intended for teaching purposes.
Arithmetic.—The left side of the tablet (No. 606; fig. 238) gives a multiplication table, from α´ α´ α´, once one is one, to γ´ ι´ λ´, thrice ten is thirty. The Greek numerals follow the alphabet to ι´ = 10, followed by κ´ = 20, λ´ = 30, and so on. Six is represented by the sign ϛ´ (Ϝ´), which occupies the place of F in the Latin alphabet, and stands for the old digamma or vau.
Writing.—The wax-coated tablet which contains the foregoing table was the usual appliance for writing. A writing lesson is shown in the terracotta group (No. 602, fig. 236, left). The instrument employed was a pointed implement, called by the Romans a stilus. An example in ivory, here figured (No. 609; fig. 239), was found in a tomb of the fifth century B.C. at Eretria in Euboea. The broad flat end was used for erasures, so that we find the Romans using the phrase vertere stilum, "to turn the pen" in the sense of "to erase." Numerous stili in bronze are shown in the Case, and some are illustrated in fig. 240. The fifth example from the top in the illustration is in silver bound with gold wire, probably from France and of late Roman date. These tablets were not as a rule used singly, but strung together, so that the waxen surface was protected when the two or more leaves were closed. The present tablet was composed of two leaves, one of which is in the Department of Manuscripts with a writing exercise upon it. The arrangement of several tablets in a fashion anticipating the form of the modern book is well shown in the relief of the pork butcher (Case 41).
Fig. 238.—Tablet with Multiplication Table and Reading Exercise (No. 606).
Fig. 239.—Ivory Stilus (No. 609). 2:3.
For documents of a more permanent character paper was made from the papyrus plant, whence it takes its name. It was manufactured chiefly at Alexandria from the time of the foundation of that town in the fourth century B.C., and pen and ink were used to write on it. A specimen of Greek writing on papyrus is seen in the Case (No. 610). It is a letter of the first century after Christ, asking that a supply of drugs of good quality—"none of your rotten stuff that won't pass muster in Alexandria"—should be sent to the writer, Prokleios. Later on, parchment, prepared from the skins of animals, and made principally at Pergamon, in Asia Minor, began to rival papyrus as writing-material. Specimens of ancient reed and bronze pens (No. 611) are given in the illustration above (fig. 240), and a series of ancient inkpots is here figured (No. 612; fig. 241). The pens, whose split nibs have a curiously modern appearance, are all of Roman date. The reed pens come from Behnesa, in Egypt, and one of the bronze pens was found in the Tiber at Rome. The inkpots are also of Roman date. The middle one of the lower row has its hinged cover still remaining, with the inlaid vine-spray in silver round the rim. The one to the right of it is in blue faïence, and was found in Egypt.
Fig. 240.—Roman Pens and Stili. 1:2.