Inscriptions from Israel and Palestine
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Location

ZOOR0040

Negev. Zoora. April 2, 382 CE. Tombstone. Epitaph.
Transcription

ΜνημῖονΜνημεῖον Ἄψητος Πέτρου, παυσαμένου ἐτῶν ζʹ, ἐν ἔτει σοζʹ, μηνὸς Ξανθικοῦ βιʹ. + +

Translation

Monument of Apses, (son) of Petros, who died (at the age) of 7 years, in the year 277, on (the) 12th (day) of (the) month Xanthikos.

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
The inscription provides the date as the 12th day of the month Xanthikos in the year 277 according to the Era of the Province of Arabia, that is, April 2, 382 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 tombstone is in fair condition, and with weathering particularly noticeable towards the bottom of the inscription. The text, which contains both spelling and grammatical errors, is engraved in a round script which is larger at its beginning and end. A cross is carved at the end of final line of the inscription and is filled with red paint. A smaller engraved cross which is also painted red is centered below the text. The word ἐτῶν is abbreviated with the first two letters and the sign S above the letter tau, and ἔτει is abbreviated by the first two letters and the S as well. In addition, the word μηνός is abbreviated by a small eta above a large mu (without the sign S), while the month is abbreviated with the first three letters and a small S next to the third. The age numeral is flanked by two "fork-like motifs" on either side, as well as a wavy horizontal bar overhead, while the year numeral is indicated only by a wavy horizontal bar. The month day numeral is inverted. The author notes that the name Πέτρος is almost exclusively used by Christians at this time and that is very common at Ghor es-Safi.

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 37 cm; W: 33 cm; D: 12 cm

Date

382 CE to 382 CE

Current location

Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Figures

  • Crosses one at the end of the last line, one centered below the text

  • Fork-like motif flanking the age numeral

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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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," ZOOR0040, 7 February 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89