Praeneste fibula
Encyclopedia
The Praeneste fibula is a golden brooch
bearing an inscription that was accepted nearly without question since its presentation to the public in 1887 by Wolfgang Helbig
, an archaeologist, as the earliest surviving specimen of the Latin
language. The origin of the fibula was not stated in the presentation. Eventually it found its way to the Museo Preistorico Etnografico Luigi Pigorini
in Rome
.
. It is inscribed with a text that appears to be written in Old Latin
, here transcribed to English letters:
The equivalent Classical Latin
sentence obtained by applying the appropriate differences between Old Latin
and Classical Latin would probably have been:
translated as:
, a leading epigraphist, published a book claiming that the inscription had been forged by Francesco Martinetti, an art dealer, and Helbig, who were known to have collaborated in shady dealings. Its presentation in 1887, she claimed, was in fact a hoax
perpetrated to advance the careers of both men. This was the most formal but not the first accusation of its kind: Georg Karo had said that Martinetti told him he had stolen the fibula unengraved from the Tomba Bernadini. This is, however, hearsay, and the evidence presented by Guarducci is circumstantial. She accuses Helbig of having forged the inscription himself, without direct evidence of the forging.
, see:
For those who continue to hold the view that the fibula is authentic, see:
Brooch
A brooch ; also known in ancient times as a fibula; is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments. It is usually made of metal, often silver or gold but sometimes bronze or some other material...
bearing an inscription that was accepted nearly without question since its presentation to the public in 1887 by Wolfgang Helbig
Wolfgang Helbig
Wolfgang Helbig was a German classical archaeologist who was a native of Dresden.From 1856 to 1861 he studied philology and archaeology at the Universities of Göttingen and Bonn, and in 1862 became a member of the German Archaeological Institute to Rome...
, an archaeologist, as the earliest surviving specimen of the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
language. The origin of the fibula was not stated in the presentation. Eventually it found its way to the Museo Preistorico Etnografico Luigi Pigorini
Pigorini National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography
The Luigi Pigorini National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography is a public and research museum located in Rome, Italy. Established in 1876 by Luigi Pigorini, it is currently directed by Maria Antonietta Fugazzola. One important collection of the Pigorini houses is Neolithic artifacts from Lake...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
Date and inscription
The fibula was thought to originate from the 7th century BC7th century BC
The 7th century BC started the first day of 700 BC and ended the last day of 601 BC.The Assyrian Empire continued to dominate the Near East during this century, exercising formidable power over neighbors like Babylon and Egypt. In the last two decades of the century, however, the empire began to...
. It is inscribed with a text that appears to be written in Old Latin
Old Latin
Old Latin refers to the Latin language in the period before the age of Classical Latin; that is, all Latin before 75 BC...
, here transcribed to English letters:
- MANIOS MED FHEFHAKED NVMASIOI
The equivalent Classical Latin
Classical Latin
Classical Latin in simplest terms is the socio-linguistic register of the Latin language regarded by the enfranchised and empowered populations of the late Roman republic and the Roman empire as good Latin. Most writers during this time made use of it...
sentence obtained by applying the appropriate differences between Old Latin
Old Latin
Old Latin refers to the Latin language in the period before the age of Classical Latin; that is, all Latin before 75 BC...
and Classical Latin would probably have been:
* MANIVS ME FECIT NVMERIO
translated as:
- Manius fashioned me for Numerius
Possible hoax
In 1980 Margherita GuarducciMargherita Guarducci
Margherita Guarducci was an Italian archaeologist, classical scholar and epigrapher. She was a major figure in several crucial moments of the 20th century academic community. A student of Federico Halbherr, she edited his works after his death...
, a leading epigraphist, published a book claiming that the inscription had been forged by Francesco Martinetti, an art dealer, and Helbig, who were known to have collaborated in shady dealings. Its presentation in 1887, she claimed, was in fact a hoax
Hoax
A hoax is a deliberately fabricated falsehood made to masquerade as truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, or rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences or April Fools' Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.-Definition:The British...
perpetrated to advance the careers of both men. This was the most formal but not the first accusation of its kind: Georg Karo had said that Martinetti told him he had stolen the fibula unengraved from the Tomba Bernadini. This is, however, hearsay, and the evidence presented by Guarducci is circumstantial. She accuses Helbig of having forged the inscription himself, without direct evidence of the forging.
Further reading
For an explanation of why the fibula is likely a 19th‑century forgeryForgery
Forgery is the process of making, adapting, or imitating objects, statistics, or documents with the intent to deceive. Copies, studio replicas, and reproductions are not considered forgeries, though they may later become forgeries through knowing and willful misrepresentations. Forging money or...
, see:
- Eric P. Hamp, Is the Fibula a Fake?, American Journal of Philology 102, 1981, 151-153.
- Arthur E. Gordon, Illustrated Introduction to Latin Epigraphy, Berkeley/Los Angeles/London 1983, ISBN 0-520-03898-3
- Larissa Bonfante, Etruscan Life and Afterlife: A Handbook of Etruscan Studies, Wayne State University Press, Detroit, 1986
For those who continue to hold the view that the fibula is authentic, see:
- Winfred P. Lehmann, Historical Linguistics, Routledge; 3rd edition, January, 1993
- R. Wachter, Altlateinische Inschriften. Sprachliche und epigraphische Untersuchungen zu den Dokumenten bis 150 v. Chr., Bern etc. 1987.
- E. Formigli, "Indagini archeometriche sull'autenticità della Fibula Praenestina". MDAI(R) 99 (1992) 329-343, Taf. 88-96.