a title or writing carved, engraved, or affixed to any thing, to give a more distinct knowledge of it, or to transmit some important truth to posterity.

The inscriptions mentioned by Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus, sufficiently shew that this was the first method of conveying instruction to mankind, and transmitting the knowledge of history and sciences to posterity; thus the ancients engraved upon pillars both the principles of sciences, and the history of the world. Pylistratus carved precepts of husbandry on pillars of stone; and the treaties of confederacy between the Romans and Jews, were engraved on plates of brass. Hence, antiquarians have been very curious in examining the inscriptions on ancient ruins, coins, medals, &c.