Writing in Ancient Greece

by Carol Lawless, Treasurer

Wow -- we're winding up our golden anniversary celebrations. The STC is 50 years old and our chapter is a mature 15 (going on 16).

The History of Documentation

Fifty years of history have left me wondering how old our profession really is. Can you imagine a world without technical writers? We know it isn't the oldest or the second oldest profession -- they've been taken -- but surely it must be up there. Did not the ancient Egyptians seek to document the way to the afterlife? Does not Genesis include clear specifications for shipbuilding? A recent visit to Greece has confirmed that the roots of our great trade are surely founded, like so much of our western civilization, in the great Hellenic age.

During my ten days on the mainland and in the islands, all the tech writing axioms ever drilled into my head were popping out of the marble-works where-ever I looked.

Proofreading Marble

I use the work marble-works advisedly. Wood certainly doesn't have the same lasting quality as marble, and of marble there was plenty. As I stood in absolute awe on the Athenian acropolis, the Parthenon towering over me, I paused to look around at the stone and marble stacked for restoration. Just imagine, for twenty-five centuries these inscriptions have remained for all to read. Just imagine, my writing will be revised with the next release due out soon! Just imagine making a typo! I wonder what the ancient Greek is for "pass the whiteout, please"? So the first of the axioms -- "proofread your work carefully".

Including Warnings

Next, "State warnings and cautions carefully". We visited Patmos, in the Icarian Sea. Gazing over the breathtaking beauty it's easy to understand why Icarus neglected to read the warning on his wings "do not fly close to sun; wax will melt". Unfortunately, his father the inventor Daedalus, didn't include the ending, "or you will plummet into the sea". As his son did, giving it his name.

Using Graphics and Icons

Of course "graphics and icons can be worth a thousand words". The Greco-Roman city of Ephesus knew the value of icons. The largest early Christian community during an era of persecution still shows signs of the engravings that marked Christian homes and businesses for their friends and co-religionists. Then there's the icon representing the way to the local brothel. But that's another story!

Posting Signs

Speaking of signs, "make sure you signpost your work so your readers can find what they're looking for". Rhodes was the home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the great Colossus. It stood astride the harbour, or maybe overlooking the harbour, or possibly just inside the town. Well, we're not really sure where it stood, but it certainly graced the town from 282 to 226 BC. Then it tumbled to the ground, or maybe to the sea during an earthquake. Nearly a thousand years later the fragments were sold and transported elsewhere. Signposts would have been nice. We still don't know what it really looked like! Or where to find it!

Choosing Translators

If you have an international audience, "choose your translation / localization company carefully". The disk of Phaestos from Minoan Crete dates from before 1700BC. The pre-Linear A pictoral script surely gives detailed instructions for programming a VCR. I dare you to prove me wrong -- after all, no-one can translate it. Come to think of it, poor instructions are even harder to interpret than the disk!

Checking Facts

Back to the mainland where the Temple of Apollo at Cape Sounion, overlooks the Aegean Sea. You may be able to detect a trend -- drown and you have a sea named after you. King Aegeus threw himself from the cliffs, thinking that his son's mission was a failure and he himself was dead. Unfortunately, Theseus was very much alive and had neglected to change the sails from mourning black to white, indicating success. Always remember check your facts before you jump to conclusions". Or over the cliff. 

Knowing the Audience

Of course the most important rule: "Know your audience" was never more prevalent than at Delphi. Readers -- oops, I mean pilgrims -- approached the great god Apollo through his seer, the Pythia (or Sybil) for revelations great and small. 

After seven days of hospitality (and seven nights at the local pub) the priests of Apollo certainly knew their audience. In fact their ratings were so high that great kings and emperors sought them out. 

Being Clear and Concise

That leads me to the final great axiom, "Be clear and avoid ambiguity". When Croesus, king of Lydia sought her advice on invading Persia, the Pythia declared "Croesus will destroy a great empire." As indeed he did. His own. No wait! I think the message at Delphi was "ambiguity is good for business". Ah well, seven axioms out of eight isn't bad!

Yes -- all the rules of technical writing are clearly present in ancient Greece. But perhaps I should double-check my facts. I hear there's a two-week tour to Turkey and Greece next year. Guess where I'll be!