According to Hiller, the graffito is located among the group of rocks in front of the Temple of Apollo Karneios, at the edge of the large plateau of the Karneia, facing the great terrace wall.
Letters of the archaic alphabet of Thera: Epsilon: featuring non-protruding vertical strokes with oblique bars. Aspiration: represented as a closed rectangular with orizontal crossbar. Iota: with three distinct bars. San: used for the sibilant sound.
Encoded following the latest EpiDoc guidelines
Taxonomies for ThERA controlled values
ThERA anthroponyms authority list
ThERA theonyms authority list
Julian Calendar
The graffito is located near other similar inscriptions close to the temple and may belong to a group of graffiti referencing the same area of worship. According to Hiller’s edition, the inscription consists of two lines: one written retrograde, the other inverted. There may be a connection between the inscription and the cult of Hermes, which is attested in later inscriptions from Thera, particularly in association with the gymnasium and young male initiates, often in connection with the name of Herakles. If Hiller’s interpretation of the text as a reference to the god Hermes is accepted, this would represent the only known occurrence of the name in the Archaic period. For a comprehensive overview, see Inglese 2008, pp. 192-196.