Inscriptions from Israel and Palestine
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Location

SENA0003

Hermon Mons (Har Senaim). 148 to 149 CE. Fragment of a hard limestone altar.
Transcription

άνιος ἐκ τοῦ ἰδίου εὐξάμενος ἀνέθηκεν ἔτους μγʹ

Translation

...anio[s? at h]is own (expense), in pursuance of a vow, dedicated (this) in year 43.

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
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 was from the Hellenistic period on inhabited by Ituraeans. The inscription was found near the steps to a small temple at the site. The temple itself contained three other altars, one of which bore the figure of Helios. Based on paleography as well as the content of the inscription -- ruling out other eras whose dates would have been too early -- the era of the city of Bostra (which is also that of the province of Arabia) is suggested, giving a date range of 22 March 148 CE to 21 March 149 CE. The author indicates that the use of the era of the city of Bostra does not necessarily indicate a movement of boarders as the dedicator may simply have come to visit Senaim. According to the author the formula εὐξάμενος ἀνέθηκεν is found in many Greek inscriptions from the region, including some found at Gerasa, Bostra, Mechta Helou, the Beqâ. Based on examples from Cyprus it seems to have come into common use during the middle of the second century.

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 26 cm; W: 25 cm; D: —

Date

148 CE to 149 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

  • Dar, Shimon, and Nikkos Kokkinos. “The Greek Inscriptions From Senaim on Mount Hermon.” Palestine Exploration Quarterly 124 (1992): 9–25.
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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," SENA0003, 13 August 2026. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89