The Decline of the Epigraphic Habit in Late Antique Arabia: Some Questions

Abstract

In the first millennium BC and the first three centuries AD vast numbers of monumental inscriptions and graffiti were carved in western Arabia. However, in late antiquity, what has been called the ‘epigraphic habit’ appears to have declined sharply in all parts of the Peninsula. This paper examines some of the possible implications of this decline. It also looks at what can be discovered about the levels of literacy in different parts of the Peninsula during this period, and the relationships between languages which appear to have remained purely spoken and those which were written.

Keywords

• Sirah
• Ancient Arabia
• Inscriptions
• Arabic Script
• North Arabia

Geç Antik Dönemde Arap Yarımadası'nda Epigrafi (Yazıt Yazma) Alışkanlığının Kaybolması Üzerine Bazı Sorular

Öz

MÖ birinci binyılda ve MS ilk üç yüzyılda Batı Arabistan’da çok fazla sayıda anıtsal yazıt ve grafiti kazınmıştır/yazılmıştır. Ancak geç antik dönemde epigrafi (yazıt yazma) alışkanlığı Arabistan’ın bütün bölgelerinde neredeyse unutulmaya yüz tutmuştur. Bu çalışma söz konusu durumun muhtemel anlamlarının neler olabileceğini irdelemektedir. Ayrıca yarımadanın çeşitli bölgelerinde okuryazarlık seviyeleri hakkında nelerin keşfedilebileceği ve tamamen konuşma dili ve yazı dili olarak devam ettiği görülen diller arasındaki ilişki konusuna eğilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Siyer
• Antik Arabistan
• Yazıtlar
• Arap Yazısı
• Kuzey Arabistan

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