Images

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Location

ZOOR0202

Negev. Zoora. March 22, 455 - March 21, 456. Tombstone. Epitaph.

Transcription

Εἶς Θεός, ὁ πάντων Δεσπότης. ΜνημῖονΜνημεῖον Ὀλεφθας Ὀβόδου, ἀποθανούσης μετὰ καλοῦ ὀνόματος καί καλῆς πίστεως. ἐτῶν , ἒτους τνʹ, μηνός , ἐν ἡμέρᾳ Κυρίου. θάρσιθἀρσει οὐδίςοὐδεὶς ἀθάνατος +

Translation

[One (is) the God, the Lord of all]. Monument of Ole[ftha], (daugher) of [Ob]odas, [who died having a good] name and good faith, [(at the age ) of..years, in (the) year 3]50, [on (the)...(day) of (the) month...], on the...day of (the) [Lord]. Be of good cheer, [no one (is) immortal].

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
The inscription is missing a good deal of text as a result of significant weathering. Though the month of death is missing, the date range of March 22, 455 CE to March 21, 456 CE seems likely based upon the restored year of [3]50 according to the Era of the Province of Arabia. 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. This tombstone is rectangular, but has chips along all its edges and rounding at the corners. The text which has survived is engraved, with red paint is visible in lines three, six, and nine. The script is square with small, neat lettering. The restoration of the name of the deceased is conjectural, since the first three letters are difficult to make out. The author suggests Ὀλεφθας, based on its prevalence in tombstones from Ghor es-Safi. The hundreds figure for the given year is also conjectural, but has been dated on the basis of formulaic expressions which are preserved. A small cross is engraved at the end of the text.

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 39 cm; W: 25.5 cm; D: 9.5 cm

Date

455 CE to 456 CE

Current location

Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Figures

  • Cross at the end of 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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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," ZOOR0202, 12 February 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89