Epigraphical Museum, Athens

The Epigraphic Museum of Athens was established in 1885 with the primary purpose of safeguarding, preserving, studying, and exhibiting ancient inscriptions engraved on stone. It boasts the world's most extensive collection of ancient Greek inscriptions, which serve as the fundamental historical sources providing insights into every facet of economic, political, religious, and social life in ancient Greece. While the majority of these inscriptions originate from Athens and the surrounding region of Attica, a significant number also come from other parts of Greece and Asia Minor. Spanning from the 8th century BC to the Early Christian, Byzantine, and later periods, they are predominantly in Greek, although some are in Latin, and a smaller number are in other languages such as Phoenician, Hebrew, and Ottoman Turkish.

Within the museum, you'll encounter original resolutions and laws etched in marble, which were adopted by the ancient Athenians during pivotal chapters of their history. These inscriptions document significant moments, including the establishment of democracy, strategies devised during the Persian Wars, the trials and tribulations of the Peloponnesian Wars, and the Athenian resistance against Philip of Macedon, among others. These engraved letters, once officially displayed in the Agora (central square), have had a profound and lasting impact on the course of history.

While the main halls may appear unremarkable to the casual visitor with their sparsely labeled shelves of stone inscriptions, there are two newer sections that provide context on the Greek writing system and showcase the most historically significant pieces. For example, you'll find a 3rd-century copy of the decree that ordered the evacuation of Athens before the Persian invasion in 480 BCE, which offers a compelling glimpse into the past.