When discussing in Troy: A Study in Homeric Geography the tribute of two maidens sent annually as temple-slaves to Athena at her temple in Ilion, I was able only to mention the existence of an inscription referring to the subject (pp. 131, 396). The inscription was then unpublished; I had been unable to obtain by correspondence any particulars other than an assurance that it contained no new material of importance.

The inscription, discovered so long ago as 1896, and copied by Wilhelm in 1897, has at length appeared in the Jahreshefte des Oest. Arch. Institutes, xiv, dated 1911, but issued only in 1913. I have to thank Dr. Wilhelm for sending me a copy of his very full account and discussion (Die Lokrische Mädcheninschrift, pp. 163–256). I recur to the subject now because it seems to me that, contrary to my information, the inscription does throw a great deal of new light; and because, if I am not mistaken, the real significance of it has been entirely missed both by Dr. Wilhelm and by M. A. Reinach—unhappily lost to science in the battle of the Marne two years ago—who discussed it in the Revue de l'Histoire des Religions, lxix, 1 (Jan. 1914), pp. 12–54.