Article
Version 2
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A Puzzling Religious Inscription from Medieval Tuscany: Simbology and Interpretation
Version 1
: Received: 19 May 2023 / Approved: 22 May 2023 / Online: 22 May 2023 (10:01:35 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 23 June 2023 / Approved: 26 June 2023 / Online: 26 June 2023 (15:02:04 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 23 June 2023 / Approved: 26 June 2023 / Online: 26 June 2023 (15:02:04 CEST)
A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.
Vicari, S.; Perono Cacciafoco, F. A Puzzling Religious Inscription from Medieval Tuscany: Symbology and Interpretation. Histories 2023, 3, 219-230. Vicari, S.; Perono Cacciafoco, F. A Puzzling Religious Inscription from Medieval Tuscany: Symbology and Interpretation. Histories 2023, 3, 219-230.
Abstract
At the entrance of some churches in Tuscany (Italy), the reproduction of an apparently undecipherable inscription can be found. At least from the 18th century, this epigraphic puzzle has originated a debate on its interpretation. This study proposes a hypothesis based on the Latin alphabet used in texts contemporary to the churches where the inscription is reproduced and a possible interpretation of the message consistent with the official religious doctrine. The proposed deciphering is extended to the full text, including some signs that were previously considered as geometric forms or a specific elaboration of letters not attested in other contemporary documents.
Keywords
Middle Ages symbolism; Latin inscriptions; Tuscany monuments; Saint Michael; religious epigraphy; inscription decipherment
Subject
Arts and Humanities, History
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Commenter: Stefano Vicari
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