Council Epigraphy in Early Modern Murcia (1575-1619): edition and paleographic study

Abstract

During the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the municipal council of Murcia engaged in epigraphic activity to mark and enhance the urban landscape. This study presents an edition of seven inscriptions that had not been previously analyzed through an epigraphic methodology, aiming to document their content and function. These inscriptions served as tools for political authority, reinforcing the council’s role as a benefactor in urban development. In addition to the textual edition, this work includes a paleographic study to analyze the graphical characteristics of advertising writing in this period, an aspect largely unexplored in epigraphy. The inscriptions show a coexistence of various writing styles, reflecting the persistence of multigraphism in the early modern period. Finally, the study examines the communicative strategies behind these inscriptions and their role in shaping public spaces. By placing texts in privileged urban locations, the council ensured visibility and legitimacy. This research offers a critical reflection on the use of advertising writing as a mechanism of power and urban identity in early modern Murcia.