Translation of the Phaistos Disc

Here is the complete translation of the hieroglyphic text, found in 1908 during excavations of the ancient city of Phaistos (Festus) on the legendary island of Crete.

«The Code of responsibilities of a man»

(ancient book for the boys entering adulthood)*

Part I (The side of the disc "B")**

Man must conceive posterity with a woman (as it is said «to put down the roots») and naturally, provide his family.

Every man is taught how to grow the plants (agriculture) from childhood: to plant it, to transport and to trade it, to sew clothes of it, to eat it, to use it in the household, to make things from it — that is all he should be able to do.

To light up the fire of knowledge on own lands (educate) and be able to protect our spiritual food (in other words, knowledge, faith and traditions — culture).

To plough and cultivate the land, as a woman (with care and attention), to be able to protect our planted and grown, fertile lands, transported goods and products and naturally, women, house and children.

Every man, traditionally, brings up children as to provide their path (to set on) to the righteous way of life.

In the town, naturally, pays attention and interest to the pottery.

Lights up the fire and brings water into his house. Follows the cooking.

Naturally, loves and spiritually enriches His wife.

Exactly man keeps knowledge and provides, traditionally, its transfer from generation to generation.

Carefully and respectfully treats pregnant women, elderly parents and the old people. Takes care of elderly parents and old people and protects them.

Takes care of our people.

Creates conditions for the pregnant women, the elderly parents and old people.

Man also provides prosperity of transport and trade.

The woman has her own special nature: women — are our families. Exactly the woman is skillful in own household.

Therefore create conditions for the pregnant women, as well as for elderly parents and old people.

Keep the knowledge, faith and honor of own woman, because husband as well as wife by nature are born exactly by woman.

Fully take care of the prosperity of maritime and ship affairs of our nation.


Part II (The side of the disc "A")**

Man must be able to protect his own house and children – it is his sacred duty to be attentive to all families (in other words, to the nation), always take care of their well-being.

Every man must give food to the infirm and children, and to provide his own family – it is his duty.

Provide the burial of the deceased.

Man must have only one wife – this is the most important law of Nature.

By nature, man must be healthy and strong. Health is passed to the children from woman (as we would say today – «with milk of mother»).

Man must treat with love the knowledge of Sciences, be honest and wise.

Every man provides the spread of the knowledge and of the own craft among wild peoples. Man must follow these traditions.

Man must completely (from beginning to the end) provide, according to the natural cycles, the agriculture and eminence of canals for irrigation, as well as the fishing. Man must follow these traditions.

We repeat that every man provides the spread of knowledge and of the own craft among wild people. Man must follow these traditions.

Man must wear clothes and treat it gently. Woman must be mistress for spin the fabric for these clothes – this is the important rule and duty (public).

Every man must be able to protect himself and have knowledge of the existing forces of Nature, which (the knowledge) is written by Prophet.

Every man must completely (from beginning to the end) provide, according to the natural cycles, the agriculture and eminence of canals for irrigation canals, as well as be able to protect what is written by Prophet.


* Let me remind you once again that the name of the text is given conditionally, as there is no in the text of the Disc, but it is quite clearly follows from all its contents.

** The side of the disc B to the current numbering of the researchers.