Shaping shapes. Sicilicus and other diacritics in Latin epigraphy
Author(s)
Tamponi, Lucia
Date Issued
2025
Type
conferenceObject
Volume
1
Start Page
749
End Page
762
Abstract
The present paper builds upon the analysis of the
sicilicus, a diacritic which, although occupying an altogether marginal
space in Latin epigraphy, may provide insights into phono-orthographic
issues in the Latin language. The sicilicus is seldom attested in Latin
orthographic tradition, and ancient grammarians’ testimonies suggest
that it could have marked long consonants before the spread of
geminatio consonantium.
Traces of the evolution of this mark might be spotted in the
epigraphic notation of abbreviations standing for plural forms. Such
forms can be notated either through geminatio consonantium or through
a supralinear diacritic of varying shape, which can be identified with
a sicilicus or with an apex. Therefore, a common origin of both the
sicilicus and the apex has been suggested by some scholars, to indicate
the doubling of a grapheme.
In order to shed light on the variability of shape and function of
these marks, we examined the diacritics and abbreviations attested
in a corpus of Latin inscriptions from Latium (including Rome) and
Campania. Our preliminary results will explore the possibility of relating
the use of the examined diacritic marks of varying shape to the sicilicus,
discussing whether they can represent its evolution.
Conference(s)
14th International Colloquium on Late and Vulgar Latin (Ghent 2022)