Ὀδοντίζω : new clues on ancient book production from alchemical papyri

Abstract

The multidisciplinary approach to different dyeing techniques of the papyri of Leiden (P.Leid. X) and Stockholm (P.Holm.) is entangled with Greco-Egyptian alchemy; yet, it is not an impediment for the recipes – or the processes described in them – to originate from an artisanal environment. In this regard, the lexical study of these recipes is the key to understanding the technical backgrounds of Greco-Egyptian alchemy. With this aim, this paper analyses the verb ὀδοντίζω (odontizō), which appears in a number of ink recipes of the Leiden and Stockholm papyri with a very technical meaning. The comparison to some Latin sources will help us to better understand its meaning and will lead us to explore the technical field from whence the recipes in which this verb appears came: ancient book production.