Images

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Location

ELUS0107

Elusa (Haluza), 100 CE - 299 CE. Block. Dedicatory.

Transcription

Θεῷ ὑψίστῳ דכרית

Translation

"To the Most High God. Remember me!"

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
The inscription consists of two lines of Greek followed by one of Palmyrene Aramaic. The Palmyrene letters are somewhat unclear. The stone does not appear to have been damaged or unfinished, and was found incorporated into the foundation of an abandoned Beduin structure. The Greek phrase here may have been employed by both Jewish and pagan cults, though it may be particularly associated with the cult of Baalshamin or with another cult, near the Negev, of Theos Hypsistos. In this location, a Nabatean rather than a Palmyrene inscription would be expected; it was probably inscribed by a trader or Roman soldier or official of Palmyrene origin. The line may be translated as "I remembered" or "I was remembered," but the interpretation here -- an imperative "Remember!" addressed to a god -- is most plausible on account of numerous parallels in Greek epigraphy. The author proposes a two-author reading of this text, particularly in light of the fact that most (presumably single-author) bilingual inscriptions contain repeating information in the two languages.

Languages

Greek, Aramaic

Dimensions

H: 24 cm; W: 43 cm; D: 20 cm

Date

100 CE to 299 CE

Current location

Israel Antiquities Authority stores (IAA 91-2354)

Figures

  • tabula ansata around inscription

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

  • Ustinova, Yulia, and Joseph Naveh. “A Greek-Palmyrene Aramaic Dedicatory Inscription from the Negev.” ’Atiqot 22 (1993).
    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," ELUS0107, 7 February 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89