Ancient scribes and users occasionally adorn texts with lexical aids and other paratextual material. This help file illustrates how to encode them:
- Critical Symbols
- Other Sigla
- Parentheses and Braces
- Misc. Symbols
- Unclear, Unintelligible, or Undefined
Critical symbols typically appear in margins, but the following entries illustrate only how to encode the symbol. For encoding marginalia, see the Leiden+ help file.
Aristarchan Symbols (return to top)
To get this PN preview: ※
Use this Leiden+: *asteriskos*
To create this XML: <g type="asteriskos"/>
Example PN Link: P.Grenf.1.5
For the asteriskos, whether used according to Aristarchus' system (i.e., marking genuine lines found elsewhere) or not.
To get this PN preview: ͻ
Use this Leiden+: *antisigma*
To create this XML: <g type="antisigma"/>
Example PN Link: TM 63850
For the antisigma, whether used according to Aristarchus' system (i.e., marking lines with comparable content) or not. In papyri antisigma frequently marks revisions (esp. textual variants) and comments.
To get this PN preview: ͽ
Use this Leiden+: *antisigma-periestigmene*
To create this XML: <g type="antisigma-periestigmene"/>
Example PN Link:
For the dotted antisigma, whether used according to Aristarchus' system (i.e., marking lines with comparable content, or for transposition) or not.
To get this PN preview: ›
Use this Leiden+: *diple*
To create this XML: <g type="diple"/>
Example PN Link: BKT.10.1
For the wedge-shaped diple, typically used in the left margin to mark any number of interesting features about a passage or compounded with the obelos as *diple-obelismene*. For a space filler at line-end in the shape of a diple, use *filler(diple)*.
To get this PN preview: ⸖
Use this Leiden+: *diple-periestigmene*
To create this XML: <g type="diple-periestigmene"/>
Example PN Link:
For the dotted diple, whether used according to Aristarchus' system (i.e., marking disagreement with Zenodotus) or not.
To get this PN preview: ―
Use this Leiden+: *obelos*
To create this XML: <g type="obelos"/>
Example PN Link:
For the marginal obelos, whether used according to Aristarchus' system (i.e., marking a spurious line) or not.
Other Symbols (return to top)
To get this PN preview: ⸔
Use this Leiden+: *downwards-ancora*
To create this XML: <g type="downwards-ancora"/>
Example PN Link: P.Oxy.65.4452vo
The downwards ancora typically indicates an omission, and points to the margin where the omitted text has been supplied.
To get this PN preview: ⸕
Use this Leiden+: *upwards-ancora*
To create this XML: <g type="upwards-ancora"/>
Example PN Link: P.Amh.1.1
The upwards ancora typically indicates an omission, and points to the margin where the omitted text has been supplied.
To get this PN preview: ⸓
Use this Leiden+: *dotted-obelos*
To create this XML: <g type="dotted-obelos"/>
Example PN Link: P.Ryl.3.467
For the dotted obelos, whether the obelos itself is horizontal or diagonal on the papyrus.
To get this PN preview: (PN does not yet support this character)
Use this Leiden+: *reverse-dotted-obelos*
To create this XML: <g type="reverse-dotted-obelos"/>
Example PN Link: TM 382543
For the reverse dotted obelos, whether the obelos itself is horizontal or diagonal on the papyrus. The difference between the *dotted-obelos and the reverse-dotted-obelos is that the latter uses a backslash ().
To get this PN preview: Χ·
Use this Leiden+: *chi-periestigmenon*
To create this XML: <g type="chi-periestigmenon"/>
Example PN Link:
For the dotted chi.
To get this PN preview: ⤚
Use this Leiden+: *diple-obelismene*
To create this XML: <g type="diple-obelismene"/>
Example PN Link:
For a diple obelismene used inline, i.e., not as a forked paragraphos between lines (for which use the Leiden+ >--- on its on line).
Crosses (return to top)
To get this PN preview: †
Use this Leiden+: *stauros*
To create this XML: <g type="stauros"/>
Example PN Link: O.Ashm.Shelt.37
For simple crosses or staurograms, as distinct from the *chirho* or *rho-cross*.
To get this PN preview: ⳨
Use this Leiden+: *rho-cross*
To create this XML: <g type="rho-cross"/>
Example PN Link: PSI.17.1701
For staurograms of the tau-rho variety, as distinct from the *chirho* or *stauros*.
To get this PN preview: ☧
Use this Leiden+: *chirho*
To create this XML: <g type="chirho"/>
Example PN Link: P.Yale.1.71
For staurograms of the chi-rho variety, as distinct from the *rho-cross* or *stauros*.
Strokes, Fillers, Dots, and Checks (return to top)
To get this PN preview: —
Use this Leiden+: *dash*
To create this XML: <g type="dash"/>
Example PN Link: CPR.30.22
For a horizontal or filler stroke that appears in-line amidst text, often (but not necessarily) in the context of a register. For a horizontal filler stroke at the end of a line, use *filler(extension)*.
To get this PN preview: —
Use this Leiden+: *filler(extension)*
To create this XML: <g rend="extension" type="filler"/>
Example PN Link: O.Did.97
For a filler stroke or other space filler at the end of a line. For a horizontal stroke in-line amidst text, use *dash*.
To get this PN preview: › (PN does not yet support this character)
Use this Leiden+: *filler(diple)*
To create this XML: <g rend="extension" type="diple"/>
Example PN Link: BKT.9.93
For a space filler at the end of a line in the shape of a diple or wedge. For a horizontal filler stroke at the end of a line, use *filler(extension)*. Not yet supported by EpiDoc stylesheet.
To get this PN preview: /
Use this Leiden+: *slanting-stroke*
To create this XML: <g type="slanting-stroke"/>
Example PN Link: P.Worp.48
For a diagonal slash used in-line amidst text. For slashes which appear in the left margin, use *check*.
To get this PN preview: \ (PN does not yet support this character)
Use this Leiden+: *backslash*
To create this XML: <g type="backslash"/>
Example PN Link: SB.14.11692
For a backslash or inverted diagonal stroke. Not yet supported by EpiDoc stylesheet.
To get this PN preview: ⸗ (PN does not yet support this character)
Use this Leiden+: *double-slanting-stroke*
To create this XML: <g type="double-slanting-stroke"/>
Example PN Link: P.Cair.Isid.32
For a double slash or slanting stroke. Not yet supported by EpiDoc stylesheet.
To get this PN preview: ‖
Use this Leiden+: *double-vertical-bar*
To create this XML: <g type="double-vertical-bar"/>
Example PN Link: P.Lund.2.5
For twinned vertical bars.
To get this PN preview: |
Use this Leiden+: *long-vertical-bar*
To create this XML: <g type="long-vertical-bar"/>
Example PN Link: SB.3.7013
For a single vertical line occupying the height of a letter or more.
To get this PN preview: ~
Use this Leiden+: *swungdash*
To create this XML: <g type="swungdash"/>
Example PN Link: TM 60668
For a short horizontal line that is wavy instead of straight.
To get this PN preview: (PN does not yet support this character)
Use this Leiden+: *guide-dot*
To create this XML: <g type="guide-dot"/>
Example PN Link: P.Leid.Inst.79
For in-line dot(s) that fill space or which coordinate entries in a register (not to be confused with *middot*, which is for punctuation). Enter the character separately for each dot. NB: For a dot in the left margin, use *dot*; for a horizontal line used to coordinate entries in a register, use *dash*. Not yet supported by EpiDoc stylesheet.
To get this PN preview: •
Use this Leiden+: *dot*
To create this XML: <g type="dot"/>
Example PN Link: O.Heid.341
For dots that appear in the left margin, as in a checklist. These are occasionally difficult to distinguish from *check*. For in-line dot(s) amidst text, use *guide-dot*, except in the case of punctuation (for which, use *middot*).
To get this PN preview: ／
Use this Leiden+: *check*
To create this XML: <g type="check"/>
Example PN Link: P.Pintaudi.21
For slashes that appear in the left margin, as in a checklist. These are occasionally difficult to distinguish from *dot*, and are not interchangeable with *slanting-stroke*, which typically appears in-line amidst text.
To get this PN preview: ⦿
Use this Leiden+: *filled-circle*
To create this XML: <g type="filled-circle"/>
Example PN Link: XXX
For ???? in the left margin, as in a checklist. These are occasionally difficult to distinguish from *check* and *dot*. For in-line dot(s) amidst text, use *guide-dot*, except in the case of punctuation (for which, use *middot*).
Scribal Punctuation (return to top)
To get this PN preview: ’
Use this Leiden+: *apostrophe*
To create this XML: <g type="apostrophe"/>
Example PN Link: P.Brook.87
For a scribal apostrophe, used principally as a marker of elision at word-end or as a separator of double consonants. These will appear in the apparatus criticus.
To get this PN preview: ’
Use this Leiden+: *diastole*
To create this XML: <g type="diastole"/>
Example PN Link: P.Amh. 1.1
For a scribal diastole, which is easily confused with a scribal apostrophe but which differs from it principally in function: a diastole marks the end of proper names -- especially foreign words (e.g., P.Ryl. 2.1, fr. 1-2 r.4) -- and can also be used to indicate word-end where disambiguation is required (e.g., P.Oxy. 66 4517v.11). See also the hypodiastole. These will appear in the apparatus criticus.
To get this PN preview: ⸒
Use this Leiden+: *hypodiastole*
To create this XML: <g type="hypodiastole"/>
Example PN Link: PSI.16.1604
For scribal punctuation in the form of a hypodiastole, which resembles a comma.
To get this PN preview: ˙
Use this Leiden+: *high-punctus*
To create this XML: <g type="high-punctus"/>
Example PN Link: P.Oxy.58.3920
For scribal punctuation in the form of a high dot. These will appear in the apparatus criticus.
To get this PN preview: ·
Use this Leiden+: *middot*
To create this XML: <g type="middot"/>
Example PN Link: C.Ep.Lat.10
For scribal punctuation in the form of a raised dot, including the Latin interpunct. These will appear in the apparatus criticus.
To get this PN preview: .
Use this Leiden+: *low-punctus*
To create this XML: <g type="low-punctus"/>
Example PN Link: Stud.Pal.20.212
For scribal punctuation in the form of a low dot. These will appear in the apparatus criticus.
To get this PN preview: ∶
Use this Leiden+: *dipunct*
To create this XML: <g type="dipunct"/>
Example PN Link: Stud.Pal.8.1245
For scribal punctuation in the form of a dicolon or dipunct.
To get this PN preview: ⋮
Use this Leiden+: *tripunct*
To create this XML: <g type="tripunct"/>
Example PN Link: CPR.31.18
For scribal punctuation in the form of a tripunct.
To get this PN preview: ⁞
Use this Leiden+: *tetrapunct*
To create this XML: <g type="tetrapunct"/>
Example PN Link: TM 65258
For scribal punctuation in the form of a tetrapunct.
Scribal Parentheses (return to top)
To get this PN preview: (
Use this Leiden+: *parens-punctuation-opening*
To create this XML: <g type="parens-punctuation-opening"/>
Example PN Link: BGU.7.1621
For text marked in antiquity with the opening of a parenthesis, bracketing something on a single line of text. For parentheses that envelop multiple lines, use parens-upper-opening, parens-middle-opening, and parens-lower-opening on the individual lines, as well as parens-upper-closing, parens-middle-closing, and parens-lower-closing (where present). If the ancient parens indicate(s) deletion mark the affected string with *parens-punctuation-opening* and fully enclose in 〚...〛. If the semantic meaning of the parens is not clearly deletion, then use *parens-punctuation-opening* alone.
To get this PN preview: )
Use this Leiden+: *parens-punctuation-closing*
To create this XML: <g type="parens-punctuation-closing"/>
Example PN Link: BGU.7.1621
For text marked in antiquity with the closing of a parenthesis, bracketing something on a single line of text. For parentheses that envelop multiple lines, use parens-upper-opening, parens-middle-opening, and parens-lower-opening on the individual lines, as well as parens-upper-closing, parens-middle-closing, and parens-lower-closing (where present). If the ancient parens indicate(s) deletion, mark the affected string with *parens-punctuation-closing* and fully enclose in 〚...〛. If the semantic meaning of the parens is not clearly deletion, then use *parens-punctuation-closing* alone.
To get this PN preview: ⎛, ⎜, and ⎝
Use this Leiden+: *parens-upper-opening*, *parens-middle-opening*, *parens-lower-opening*
To create this XML: <g type="parens-upper-opening"/>, <g type="parens-middle-opening"/>, and <g type="parens-lower-opening"/>
Example PN Link: CPR.7.8
For text marked in antiquity with the opening of a parenthesis, bracketing multiple lines of text. Use *parens-upper-opening* for the topmost line, *parens-lower-opening* for the last line, and *parens-middle-opening* for any lines in between. For parenthesis on a single line, use *parens-punctuation-opening* and *parens-punctuation-closing*.
To get this PN preview: ⎞, ⎟, and ⎠
Use this Leiden+: *parens-upper-closing*, *parens-middle-closing*, *parens-lower-closing*
To create this XML: <g type="parens-upper-closing"/>, <g type="parens-middle-closing"/>, and <g type="parens-lower-closing"/>
Example PN Link: CPR.7.8
For text marked in antiquity with the opening of a parenthesis, bracketing multiple lines of text. Use *parens-upper-closing* for the topmost line, *parens-lower-closing* for the last line, and *parens-middle-closing* for any lines in between. For parenthesis on a single line, use *parens-punctuation-opening* and *parens-punctuation-closing*.
Scribal Braces (return to top)
To get this PN preview: ⎧, ⎨, and ⎩
Use this Leiden+: *upper-brace-opening*, *center-brace-opening*, *lower-brace-opening*
To create this XML: <g type="upper-brace-opening"/>, <g type="center-brace-opening"/>, and <g type="lower-brace-opening"/>
Example PN Link:
Need to consult with James regarding this set, for which EpiDoc stylesheets already support *upper-brace-opening*, *upper-brace-closing*, *center-brace-opening*, *center-brace-closing*, *lower-brace-opening*, *lower-brace-closing*, *parens-deletion-opening*, and *parens-deletion-closing*. For scribal deletion indicated by parentheses, see under Leiden Double Square Brackets.
To get this PN preview:
Use this Leiden+:
To create this XML:
Example PN Link:
Need to consult with James regarding this set, for which EpiDoc stylesheets already support *upper-brace-opening*, *upper-brace-closing*, *center-brace-opening*, *center-brace-closing*, *lower-brace-opening*, *lower-brace-closing*, *parens-deletion-opening*, and *parens-deletion-closing*. For scribal deletion indicated by parentheses, see under Leiden Double Square Brackets.
Magic and Monogram (return to top)
To get this PN preview: ((magical-symbol))
Use this Leiden+: *magical-symbol*
To create this XML: <g type="magical-symbol"/>
Example PN Link: TM 64757
For magical symbols that are unsupported by Unicode and cannot be displayed in PN.
To get this PN preview: monogr.
Use this Leiden+: *monogram*
To create this XML: <g type="monogram"/>
Example PN Link: CPR.9.17
For monograms that are unsupported by Unicode and cannot be displayed in PN.
To get this PN preview: ((paraphe))
Use this Leiden+: *paraphe*
To create this XML: <g type="paraphe"/>
Example PN Link: TravMém.16.361_1
Needs description added.
Decoration (return to top)
To get this PN preview: ☓
Use this Leiden+: *x*
To create this XML: <g type="x"/>
Example PN Link: P.Sarap.92
For a decorative X, as often appears on a document docket to separate entities. If there are three crosses on the papyrus then use the following Leiden+ mark up: xxx
To get this PN preview: ☓☓☓☓☓
Use this Leiden+: *xs*
To create this XML: <g type="xs"/>
Example PN Link: P.Brook.6
For a series of Xs, added as adornment or space filler. NB: PN will display five Xs when *xs* is encoded, regardless of the number on the papyrus
To get this PN preview: (drawing)
Use this Leiden+: #drawing
To create this XML: <figure><figDesc>drawing</figDesc></figure>
Example PN Link: TM 68861
For figures on the papyrus. Describe the decoration in one or two words (e.g., #drawing, #seal, #figure, #decorated-border)
Unclear Symbols (return to top)
To get this PN preview: tachygr. marks
Use this Leiden+: *tachygraphic-marks*
To create this XML: <g type="tachygraphic-marks"/>
Example PN Link: P.Cair.Masp.1.67045
For undecipherable tachygraphy. Cf. *unintelligible*, for a single symbol or glyph.
To get this PN preview: ((unintelligible))
Use this Leiden+: *unintelligible*
To create this XML: <g type="unintelligible"/>
Example PN Link: P.Cair.Isid.20
For an unintelligible or unidentifiable symbol. Cf. *tachygraphic-marks*, for a longer series of indecipherable writing.
To get this PN preview: ((undefined))
Use this Leiden+: *undefined*
To create this XML: <g type="undefined"/>
Example PN Link: TM 62479
Needs description added. TM 62479 is the transcription currently using this @type.
To get this PN preview: ☧̣ or ((asteriskos?))
Use this Leiden+: *chirho?* or *asteriskos?*
To create this XML: <unclear><g type="chirho"/></unclear> or <unclear><g type="asteriskos"/></unclear>
Example PN Link: SB.18.13762
When a symbol is read but with doubt, add ? (i.e., a question mark) to the penultimate position in Leiden+. The Unicode character will appear with an underdot, or the description will appear with a question mark.