---
title: Greek and Aramaic inscriptions by king Ashoka
author: World Imaging
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/259/greek-and-aramaic-inscriptions-by-king-ashoka/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Greek and Aramaic inscriptions by king Ashoka

_Authored by World Imaging_

## Image File

[![Greek and Aramaic inscriptions by king Ashoka](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/259.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/259.jpg)

## Image Caption

Bilingual ([Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) and Aramaic) inscriptions by king [Ashoka](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ashoka_the_Great/) at Kandahar (Shar-i-kuna). (3rd century BCE). Preserved at Kabul Museum. Today disappeared. Two-dimensional inscription. Greek (transliteration) 1. δέκα ἐτῶν πληρη\[....\]ων βασι\[λ\]εὺς 2. Πιοδασσης εὐσέβεια\[ν ἔδ\]ε\[ι\]ξεν τοῖς ἀν- 3. θρώποις, καὶ ἀπὸ τούτου εὐσεβεστέρους 4. τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἐποίησεν καὶ πάντα 5. εὐθηνεῖ κατὰ πᾶσαν γῆν• καὶ ἀπέχεται 6. βασιλεὺς τῶν ἐμψύχων καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ δὲ 7. εἲ τινες ἀκρατεῖς πέπαυνται τῆς ἀκρα- 8. σίας κατὰ δύναμιν, καὶ ἐνήκοοι πατρὶ 9. καὶ μητρὶ καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων παρὰ 10. τὰ πρότερον καὶ τοῦ λοιποῦ λῶιον 11. καὶ ἄμεινον κατὰ πάντα ταῦτα 12. ποιοῦντες διάξουσιν. English (translation) 1. Ten years (of reign) having been completed, King 2. Piodasses (Ashoka) made known (the doctrine of) 3. Piety (εὐσέβεια, Eusebeia) to men; and from this moment he has made 4. men more pious, and everything thrives throughout 5. the whole world. And the king abstains from (killing) 6. living beings, and other men and those who (are) 7. huntsmen and fishermen of the king have desisted 8. from hunting. And if some (were) intemperate, they 9. have ceased from their intemperance as was in their 10. power; and obedient to their father and mother and to 11. the elders, in opposition to the past also in the future, 12. by so acting on every occasion, they will live better 13. and more happily." (Trans. by G.P. Carratelli) Aramaic 1. שנן 10 פתיתו עביד זי מראן פרידארש מלכא קשיטא מהקשט 2. מן אדין זעיר מרעא לכלהם אנשן וכלהם אדושיא הובד 3. ובכל ארקא ראם שתי ואף זי זנה כמאכלא למראן מלכא זעיר 4. קטלן זנה למחזה כלהם אנשן אתהחסינן אזי נוניא אחדן 5. אלך אנשן פתיזבת כנם זי פרבסת הוין אלך אתהחסינן מן 6. פרבסתי והופתיסתי לאמוהי ולאבוהי ולמזישתיא אנסן 7. איך אסרהי חלקותא ולא איתי דינא לכלהם אנשיא חסין 8. זנה הותיר לכלהם אנשן ואוסף יהותר.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Cite This Work

### APA
Imaging, W. (2012, April 26). Greek and Aramaic inscriptions by king Ashoka. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/259/greek-and-aramaic-inscriptions-by-king-ashoka/>
### Chicago
Imaging, World. "Greek and Aramaic inscriptions by king Ashoka." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 26, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/259/greek-and-aramaic-inscriptions-by-king-ashoka/>.
### MLA
Imaging, World. "Greek and Aramaic inscriptions by king Ashoka." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Apr 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/259/greek-and-aramaic-inscriptions-by-king-ashoka/>.

## License & Copyright

Original image by **World Imaging**. Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 26 April 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.