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Location

ZOOR0056

Negev. Zoora. September 27, 387 CE. Purple sandstone tombstone. Epitaph.

Transcription

+ ΜνημῖονΜνημεῖον Θοάϊει Ἀλφίου, ἀποθανοῦσα ἐτῶν ιηʹ, ἐν ἤτι σπβʹ, μενὸςμηνὸς ὙπερβερετέουὙπερβερεταίου δεκάτην, ἡμέρᾳ Σελήνης. ΘάρσιΘάρσει, οὐδὶςοὐδεὶς ἀθάνατος. +

Translation

Monument of Thoaiei, (daughter) of Alphios, who died (at the age) of 18 years, in the year 282, on the tenth (day) of (the) month Hyperberetaios, on (the) day of (the) Moon (Monday). Be of good cheer, no one (is) immortal.

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
The inscription provides the date as the 10th day of the month Hyperberetaios in the year 282 according to the Era of the Province of Arabia, that is, September 27, 387 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 is rectangular and slightly curved at the corners, shows significant wear on its right side. The same three decorative figures appear above and below the inscription. This decoration consists of a centered, outlined cross flanked by two cross-rho figures. The round script of the text and the decorative figures are surrounded by an engraved frame, and the text is set within incised guide-lines. In line three, the age and year numerals are emphasized by a horizontal bar below them, a practice which the editor notes is uncommon. The inscription contains both spelling and grammatical errors.

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 34 cm; W: 30 cm; D: 13.5 cm

Date

387 CE to 387 CE

Current location

Armenian Patriarchate Museum in Jerusalem

Figures

  • Cross-rho two flanking the cross above and below the inscription

  • Cross centered above and below the inscription

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, Y.E., Kritikakou K., and Bougia P. Chronological Systems in Roman-Byzantine Palestine and Arabia: The Evidence of the Dated Greek Inscriptions: Meletemata Vol. 17. Athens, 1992.
    Zotero
  • Sartre, Maurice. Inscriptions de La Jordanie, Vol. IV: (IGLS, Vol. XXI) Pétra et La Nabatène Méridionale Du Wadi al-Hasa Au Golfe de ’Aqaba (BAH, Vol. 115). Paris, 1993.
    Zotero
  • 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," ZOOR0056, 12 February 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89