SENA0001

SENA0001

Hermon Mons (Har Senaim). Mid-second century CE to fourth century CE. Fragment of a hard limestone altar.


Transcription καὶ Γάλεσος καὶ Μοβογέος ἀνέθηκαν ἐκ τῶν εἰδίων τὸν βωμὸν Ἀφαρεὺς κατόχου ὄντος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐγένετο ὁ βωμὸς
Translation [-------] and Galesos and Mobogeos [dedicat]ed this alt[ar] at their own (expense). [Apha?]reus bei[ng] a 'temple-recluse (under a vow)', (when) the alt[ar] was made [to the (local) go]d.
Diplomatic [no diplomatic]

Transcription

καὶ Γάλεσος καὶ Μοβογέος ἀνέθηκαν ἐκ τῶν εἰδίων τὸν βωμὸν Ἀφαρεὺς κατόχου ὄντος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐγένετο ὁ βωμὸς

Translation

[-------] and Galesos and Mobogeos [dedicat]ed this alt[ar] at their own (expense). [Apha?]reus bei[ng] a 'temple-recluse (under a vow)', (when) the alt[ar] was made [to the (local) go]d.

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Notes

This fragment of an altar is one of a number of Greek inscriptions from Senaim on Mount Hermon. Senaim seems to have functioned as the main cult place for local settlements in the region, an area which from the Hellenistic period on was inhabited by Ituraeans. The inscription was found outside of the entrance to a small temple at the site. The temple itself contained three other altars, one of which bore the figure of Helios. The author notes that the name Γάλεσος is unusual though attested in a few texts from Arabia and that it is probably identical to the Nabataean "glśw" and the Safaitic "gls". Μοβογέος, on the other hand, he notes, is a well known name in Syria and Lebanon probably of Semitic origin. The name Ἀφαρεύς is given as the most likely restoration based upon the inscription's location, though based on the trasnlation provided should have been recorded in the genitive (Ἀφαρἐως). Ἀφαρεύς was chosen as the most likely restoration because it was the only option which has been recorded in relative proximity to Senaim.It is not clear what exactly the katochoi refered to in the inscription were, though they are understood to be temple-seekers or temple-recluses under a vow. These katochoi, however, are not the same as hierodouloi or temple slaves. The author posits that in the Syrian context the katochos may be the equivalent of the Canaanite-Hebrew "nazir" who vowed a "neder". The author points out that it may be of note that a nearby valley is called by the Arabs "Marj el-Rahab," meaning "valley of the recluse."

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Hermon Mons (Har Senaim). Mid-second century CE to fourth century CE. Fragment of a hard limestone altar.

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SENA0001

Hermon Mons (Har Senaim). Mid-second century CE to fourth century CE. Fragment of a hard limestone altar.

Languages

Dimensions

Date

Current location

Figures

Bibliography

Source of diplomatic

Source of transcription

Source of translation

Other sources

Cite This Inscription