Geographical verbal variation in Dendera : An exploratory study in verbal variation between east and west in offering texts from Graeco-Roman temples in Dendera1

This paper researches the interaction between inscriptions facing east and those facing
west in offering texts of the Graeco-Roman period, specifically those found in the temple
of Hathor and the temple of Isis in Dendera. Continuing research performed by Christian
Leitz, this paper argues that a pattern shown by Leitz in which the east side is active where
the west is reflecting a state, is not an anomaly, but should actually be considered part of
the 'grammaire du temple'. Moreover, I show that this pattern is used during the reign of
Cleopatra VII, and falls out of use during the reign of the emperor Augustus.