Images

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Location

ZOOR0016

Negev. Zoora. May 19, 356 CE. Sandstone tombstone, engraved and painted. Epitaph.

Transcription

+ + + Μνημῖον Μαρθοῦς τελευτησάσης ἐτῶν ιεʹ ἔτους σναʹ μηνὶ Ἀρτεμισίου κθʹ Θάρσι Θάρσει οὐδεὶς ἀθάνατος Εὐμύρι Εὐμοίρει φιλτάτη Μαρθοῦς

Translation

[Monument of Marthous ......], who died (at the age) of 15 years, in (the) year 251, on (the) 29th (day) of (the) month Artemisios. Be of good cheer, no one (is) immortal. Have a good fortune (may your lot be good), dearest Marthous.

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
The inscription lists the date as the 29th of Artemisios in the year 251 according to the Era of the Province of Arabia, that is, May 19, 356 CE. The tombstone is one of about 700 discovered in Byzantine Zoora. The majority of the Greek tombstones from this location have been identified as Christian. The inscription contains both spelling and grammatical errors and is recorded in a mixture of square and round script. The text is engraved and painted red. The author indicates that the letter-cutter seems to have had difficulty cutting into this material. Painted guide lines can still be seen between the lines of text. The first two lines of the text are missing due to weathering. The author restores the first line as "Μνημῖον Μαρθοῦς" (Monument of Marthous...) based on the typical funeral formula and the mention of the name later on line 9. He suggests that he second line likely would have contained a patronymic. The age, year, month and day numeral is indicated with a horizontal bar above them. The remnants of three crosses can still be seen above the text.

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 43 cm; W: 36.5 cm; D: 08.5 cm

Date

356 CE to 356 CE

Current location

Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Figures

  • Painted guide lines between the lines of text

  • Cross three, above the text

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

  • Meimaris, Yiannis, and Kalliope Kritikakou-Nikolaropoulou. Inscriptions from Palaestina Tertia Vol. Ia: The Greek Inscriptions from Ghor Es-Safi (Byzantine Zoora). Athens, Greece: National Hellenic Research Foundation, 2005.
    Zotero
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Cite This Inscription

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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," ZOOR0016, 12 February 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89