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." Of the shorter inscriptions of the Phoenicians, by far the greater number were attached either to votive offerings or to tombs.

Some hundreds have been found of both classes, but they are almost wholly without literary merit, being bald and jejune in the extreme, and presenting little variety.

The depositor of a votive offering usually begins by mentioning the name and title, or titles, of the deity to whom he dedicates it.

Then he appends his own name, with the names of his father and grandfather.