PINAKES Meaning and
Definition
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The term "pinakes" refers to a specific type of ancient Greek tablet or table. Derived from the Greek word "pinax," meaning a writing tablet or a painted board, pinakes were wooden tablets coated with a layer of wax, onto which information could be inscribed. Popular during the classical period, these tablets were primarily used for writing, record-keeping, and displaying important information.
Pinakes had a rectangular shape, typically with smooth, flat surfaces. The wax coating allowed for easy and efficient erasing and rewriting, making them ideal for temporary or frequently changing information. These tablets were commonly used in educational settings, where teachers and students could write and erase lessons, notes, or exercises as needed. The smooth wax surface facilitated writing using a stylus, a pointed instrument made of metal or bone.
In addition to their educational purpose, pinakes were also utilized for bureaucratic documentation and legal matters. Government officials, scribes, and record-keepers relied on these tablets to record and preserve administrative or legal information, such as court decisions, laws, and contracts.
Pinakes played a vital role in maintaining and transmitting knowledge during ancient times. Although predominantly made of wood and wax, examples with metal hinges have also been discovered, indicating the evolution and continued use of this writing tool throughout history. While pinakes have been superseded by contemporary writing materials, their legacy remains as a testament to the importance placed on information recording and storage in ancient Greek civilization.
Etymology of PINAKES
The word "pinakes" can be traced back to its ancient Greek origins. In Greek, the word "pinax" (πίναξ) originally referred to a tablet made of wood, metal, or stone on which something was written or depicted. Over time, this term evolved to also describe painted panels or pictures hung on walls.
The word "pinax" eventually made its way into Latin as "pinacis", which was used to refer to painted panels or tablets. In medieval Latin, it transformed further into "pinax", which developed a more general meaning – a large panel displaying multiple images or icons.
Today, "pinakes" is mainly used in scholarly discourse to refer to ancient Greek documents displayed on wooden tablets, such as the famous Pinakes of Callimachus, a celebrated bibliographic work from the Hellenistic period.
