Images

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Location

ZOOR0205

Negev. Zoora. March 15, 456. Grey sandstone tombstone. Epitaph.

Transcription

+ + Εἶς θεὀς ΜνημῖονΜνημεῖον Μάρωνος Καϊούμου ἀπαθανούντοςἀποθανόντος μετὰ καλοῦ μνόματoςὀνόματος ἐτῶν κʹ, ἔτους τνʹ, μενὸς Δύστρου λʹ ἠμέρᾳ Κυρίου εʹ. ΘάρσιΘάρσει, οὐδὶςοὐδεὶς ἀθάνατος.

Translation

One (is) the god. Monument of Maron, (son) of Kaioumos, who died having a good name (at the age) of 20 years, in (the) year 350, on (the) 30th of (the) month Dystros, on (the) 5th day of (the) Lord (Thursday). 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 5th day of the Lord (Thursday), the 30th day of the month Dystros, in the year 350 according to the Era of the Province of Arabia, that is, March 15, 456 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. Originally rectangular in shape, the corners are now rounded and broken. The inscribed surface bears damage caused chiseling, causing some loss of text. Below the text is an cross, outlined, with a chi-sign in its centre, accompanied on each side by a heraldic bird that are filled with decorations. These images are all engraved, while the birds are additionally painted over in red. Dots of red paint are also found around the images. There is also a palm branch engraved at the end of line nine. The text is engraved, while lines 1,3,5,7,9, and 11 are additionally painted red. The inscription and decorations are all recorded in the shape of a cross. The script is square. The author notes that the phrase Εἶς θεός is deliberately erased. They also note that the name Καϊάμος is an adaptation of the arabic Arabic Qayyum, meaning firm "firm".

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 40 cm; W: 30 cm; D: 08 cm

Date

456 CE to 456 CE

Current location

Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Figures

  • Cross below text

  • Heraldic birds on either side of cross below the text

  • Dots scattered around the images

  • Frame surrounding the text

  • Palm branch end of line nine

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," ZOOR0205, 7 February 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89