An Inscribed Scarab

Extract

The above inscription appears on a very rudely formed scarab of translucent noble serpentine, which was acquired by Professor Petrie in Egypt; I publish it here with his permission; for the identification of the material I am indebted to Professor Bonney. The name Λαῖλαψ is only known as the name of a dog. It occurs as the hound of Procris in Ovid's Metamorphoses III. 771, and also among the hounds of Actaeon, ibid. III. 211, and in Hyginus Fab. 181. It is possible that this rude scarab may have been hung, as an ornament or amulet, on the neck of a hound; but perhaps such a decoration is more suitable to a pet dog; in that case the imposing name may have been given in playful irony.

The ς at the end is superfluous; it may be an abbreviation of some sort; or possibly may be due to the hand of a foreigner who did not appreciate the significance of the Greek ψ. The lettering is of the late Hellenistic or of the Roman age.