Series Gg records quantities of ‘honey’ (me-ri, ME+RI), by means of the ideogram *209^VAS ligatured with the abbreviation A, which in all probability stands for a-pi-po-re-we, /amp^hip^horēwes/ (see also a-po-re-we, /amp^horēwe/) ‘amphorae’. Several studies recently conducted by Bendall have led to distinctions into sets: Gg(1) and Gg(3) deal with offerings and are characterized by the presence of god names, and occasionally also by chronological indications; Gg(2) records allocations of honey; Gg(4) comprises texts characterized by indications of o-pe-ro /op^helos/ ‘deficit’, which suggests that these may have to do with administrative annotations and taxation.

Twelve tablets, such as Gg 701 under examination here, cannot be grouped into these sets. The identity of the scribe who compiled this tablet is uncertain. However, this tablet may presumably be dated to LM IIIA (XIV cent. BC). Researches recently conducted by Firth (Firth 2000-2001) have suggested an identification of its find-spot in an area in the western sector of the Palace of Knossos, F17.

Bendall (Bendall 2007) has hypothesized that Gg 701 may deal with taxation, as suggested by several textual similarities with tablets belonging to other series (such as Mc), such as the presence of *172. A widely accepted view holds that this logogram could refer to beeswax, and perhaps it is to be intended as ‘honeycomb of beeswax’.

Bendall has also suggested that there may be some relation between Gg 701 and Gg 521+, which is probably a recapitulative document concerning a total amount of honey and *172. Besides *172, this tablet records in fact a large number of amphoras, 542. She has therefore hypothesized that Gg 701 may represent the remnant of a now lost entire set dealing with the collection of honey and wax.

Gg 701 appears therefore to record sixteen units of honey (ME+RI), calculated by means of amphoras (*209^VAS+A), and eight units of *172, probably beeswax, although this interpretation remains uncertain and to some extent controversial.

From what remains of this text, it seems likely that the recording has some relation with Phaistos, as suggested by ]i-to. Another term, da-nwa, has been tentatively interpreted as being the receiver of these products, either a theonym or an anthroponym. As observed by Bendall, the latter interpretation would seem to be more probable, because the amount of honey recorded on Gg 701 would be exceptionally high for a religious offering.

The quantity of honey recorded on Gg 701 cannot be defined with precision. It is indicated by the presence of the ideogram 209^VAS+A. The vessel capacity can only be inferred approximately though, in the absence of a sure archaeological pendant. However, Privitera (Privitera 2010) retained that a quantity between 7 and 14 litres would appear to be reasonable.

]ị-to , / da-nwa     ME+RI     *209^VAS+A   16     *172   8

(At) Phaistos (?), to da-nwa, 16 amphoras containing honey, 8 units of beeswax.

Alternatively,

(At) Phaistos (?), (an offering to the divine figure ??) da-nwa, 16 amphoras containing honey, 8 units of beewax.

]i-to: this word is incomplete, therefore the interpretation is uncertain. However, according to a widely accepted hypothesis, what is preserved may be the ending of a well-known toponym: this is in all probability the place name of pre-Greek origin generally interpreted as /P^haistos/ (: Φαιστόϛ). If this interpretation is correct, the toponym would appear to be in the locative singular (-oi) / nominative of rubric (-os). The geographical localization in the plain of the Mesara, to the south of river Ieropotamos, is unanimously accepted.

Da-nwa: a word of uncertain interpretation, perhaps to be considered from an onomastic perspective. It has in fact been generally interpreted either as a theonym (Danwā / Danawā > Danáē, Δάνϝᾱ / Δανάϝᾱ > Δανάη), in the dative singular, or the personal name of a receiver, presumably a functionary involved in tax collection. This hypothesis has been sustained by Bendall on the basis of the large quantity of honey mentioned in the text, which appears to be much higher than the quantity generally offered to gods.

ME+RI: monogram for me-ri /meli/ ‘honey’.

In Mycenology, a ‘monogram’ is intended as the result of the combination of syllabograms forming a complex sign.

A ‘+’ is used to join the constitutive elements. These are conventionally transliterated in italics, in capital letters.

⇒ Further information on LiBER

The tablet measures ca. (9) x 2.5 x 1-1.5 cm. However, the fracture on the left side does not allow us to identify the original dimensions.

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