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Location

ZOOR0048

Negev. Zoora. April 10, 385 CE. Reddish sandstone tombstone. Epitaph.

Transcription

ΜνημῖονΜνημεῖον Ἀβδολμίθαβος Ἄγγου, ἀποθονὼν ἐτῶν ξʹ, ἐν ἔτιἔτει σπʹ, μηνὸς Ξανθικοῦ κʹ.

Translation

Monument of Abdolmithabos, (son) of Aggos, who died (at the age) of 60 years, in the year 280, on (the) 20th (day) of (the) month Xanthikos.

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
The inscription provides the date as the 20th day of the month Xanthikos in the year 280 according to the Era of the Province of Arabia, that is, April 10, 385 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, which was originally rectangular in shape, is rounded at the top and bottom and broken at the upper and lower left corners and chipped all around. The smoothed inscribed surface is flaked off in various parts. The letter λ covered by a vault appears above the first line of text. Although it may represent a numerical sign, its symbolism is unknown. The text is engraved in a square script with the exception of a round ο in line eight. Incised guide-lines are visible throughout, and traces of red paint appear in lines one, three, five, and seven. The inscription includes spelling and grammatical errors. A heavily curved line appears on the three sides of the age numeral χ in line five. A slightly curved bar appears above the numerical figures for the year. The personal name Ἀβδαλμίθαβος may be a transcription of a compound Semitic name beginning with the element "servant of." However, the meaning of the second element Μίθαβος is unclear. The personal name Ἄγγος may also refer to a Semitic name deriving from the root meaning "to go on a pilgrimage."

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 59 cm; W: 36 cm; D: 06 cm

Date

385 CE to 385 CE

Current location

Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Figures

  • Letter lambda above the first line

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," ZOOR0048, 12 February 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89