Inscriptions from Israel and Palestine
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BIRS0003

Negev. Birsama (Be'er-Shema), 450 CE - 500 CE. Mosaic Pavement. Dedication.
Transcription

Υπέρ σωτηρίας Ἄλφιου καὶ παντός τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναπαύσεως Διονυσίας

Translation

For the salvation of Alphios and of all of his family and for the rest of Dionysia.

Diplomatic

ΥΠΕΡϹΩΤΗΡΙΑϹΑΛΦΙΟΥΚΑΙΠΑΝΤΟϹΤΟΥΟΙΚΟΥΑΥΤΟΥΚΑΙΑΝΑΠΑΥϹΕΩϹΔΙΟΝΥϹΙΑϹ

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
A commemorative inscription on the floor of the Baptistery Chapel to the right of the baptismal font. It is recorded in black tiles on a white background, and is set into a rectangular frame. The content of the text is very similar to that of Birs0001. The word salvation (σωτηρίας) can apply to a living or dead person, while the word rest (ἀναπαύσεως) was applied only to the deceased. The different application of these two words indicates that Alphios was living at the time of the inscription, while Dionysia (who was likely a member of his family) was not. The inscription makes use of lunate sigmas as well as large miniscule omegas (in the place of majuscule omegas). The last line of the inscription is damaged. The editor notes that the name Alphios is of Semitic origin and that the name Dionysia, while originally pagan, had become a common name for Christians as well during this period.

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: —; W: —; D: —

Date

450 CE to 550 CE

Current location

No provenance provided.

Figures

No figures described.

Bibliography

Source of diplomatic

No bibliography available for diplomatic transcription.

Source of transcription

No bibliography available for transcription.

Source of translation

No bibliography available for translation.

Other sources

  • Tzaferis, Vassilios. “The Greek Inscriptions from the Early Christian Church at ’Evron.” Eretz-Israel 25 (1996).
    Zotero
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The project can be cited as:

Satlow, Michael L., ed. 2002 - . “Inscriptions of Israel/Palestine.” Brown University. https://doi.org/10.26300/PZ1D-ST89

This inscription can be cited as:

"Inscriptions of Israel/Palestine," BIRS0003, 7 June 2026. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89