New Discovery: Fragment of the "Attoliad"

[ricardienne.livejournal.com]

I was investigating scattered papyrus fragments in the archives of the university's library, Dear Sounisians, when I discovered a few lines scribbled on the back of an inventory of cloak-pins. Epic in style, and yet not from any previously known epic tradition! They appear to be part of a king-list or catalog or rulers, the names of whom are known from the period of attempted Mede incursion onto the peninsula. Is this evidence of a continuation of oral epic tradition? Or evidence of an archaizing literary tendency in the period? More fragments will have to be found before these issues can be answered, but, in the meantime, I have transcribed and translated the three extent lines of the Attoliad at my journal:

(NB: potential spoilers for A Conspiracy of Kings)

Attoliad fr. A. 1-3

Comments

[deirdrej.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to say -- that's gorgeous -- I love it!!!

[sgwordy.livejournal.com]

Very cool!