Seikilos epitaph

The Seikilos stele is an ancient Greek grave stone in Tralles (Asia Minor), on which the preform of a musical notation was found. The notation in an antique carved song Phrygian key with Greek text dated between 200 BC and 100 AD, making it one of the oldest completely preserved pieces of music.

The stele was discovered in 1883 by Sir William Mitchell Ramsay near Aydın. Ramsay published his finding report, a description of the stele and an interpretation of the inscription in the same year. The stela is now in the Danish National Museum (inventory number 14897 ).

Greek original text:

ΕΙΚΩΝΗ ΛΙΘΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ · ΤΙΘΗΣΙ ΜΕ ΣΕΙΚΙΛΟΣ ΕΝΘΑ ΜΝΗΜΗΣ ΑΘΑΝΑΤΟΥ ΣΗΜΑ ΠΟΛΥ ΧΡΟΝΙΟΝ Ὅσον ζῇς φαίνου μηδὲν ὅλως σὺ λυποῦ · πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐστὶ τὸ ζῆν. τὸ τέλος ὁ χρόνος ἀπαιτεῖ.

In inscription:

Eikonē lithos eimi; tithēsi me Seikilos contains mnēmēs athanatou SEMA poly chronion Hoson ZES, phainou Meden holos sy lypou pros OLIGON esti to zen to telos ho chronos apaitei

Sample ( pronunciation of Koine Greek)? / I

German translation

A possible translation of the grave inscription reads:

I am an image in stone; Seikilos set me on here where I remain forever, as a symbol of timeless remembrance. As long as you live, also makes its appearance. Mourn mean too much. A short time remains for life. The end brings the time by itself