Asking Text-Bearing Objects : Contribution of Epigraphical theories to Digital Representation of Texts

This methodological framework tries to combine the epigraphical theories and methods with the digital representation of text. The first section describes the methodological aspects of epigraphy, in particular the autopsy. The key concept concerns that epigraphy deals with text-bearing objects characterized by the genuineness and the uniqueness of the text. The second section discusses the nine levels of analysis proposed for the digital representation of inscriptions: 1. Metadata; 2. Matrix of the artefact; 3. Images of the artefact; 4. Decorations or figurative elements; 5. Transcription of the text: diplomatic edition; 6. Related epigraphs; 7. Text: critical edition with apparatus; 8. Bibliography; 9. Commentaries. At each level, the epigraphical evidence relates to the Res Gestae Divi Augusti (RGDA). The last section is dedicated to comparison between digital epigraphy and digital papyrology in order to consider their paths in the Digital Humanities. Now the papyrological world has a single platform, whereas epigraphers use databases more localized (based on geographic origin of inscriptions) and specialized, with, for only some of them, a basic common interface. Furthermore, these reflections would encourage interoperable tools and cooperation between communities.