Epigraphic conventions
Brackets are used to mark off sections of text that have been subject to editorial intervention. The type of brackets shows what changes have been made.
Symbol |
Used for |
The inscription says |
The epigrapher writes |
( ) |
An abbreviated word, which the editor has written out in full |
AVG |
Aug(ustus) |
[ ] |
Letters lost through damage, but supplied by the editor |
VRNIA |
[Calp]urnia |
[[ ]] |
Letters erased in antiquity, but can still be read clearly |
GETA |
[[Geta]] |
(vac.) |
Marking a deliberately blank space |
D M |
D (vac.) M |
˹ ˺ |
Correcting a mistake made by an original inscriber |
INSIRVXIT |
ins˹t˺ruxit |
{ } |
Letters carved in error, which the editor has removed |
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< > |
Letters omitted in error, which the editor has added |
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Other common symbols:
Symbol |
Used for |
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+++ |
Damaged traces of letters which cannot be recognised; each cross represents a letter |
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|
abc |
Letters read by a previous editor; currently invisible |
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° |
Words in Latin inscriptions are often separated by small dots or triangular marks (called interpuncts) |
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For more details about the notations used in this catalogue, download the epigraphic conventions pdf.