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Location

ZOOR0208

Negev. Zoora. May 24, 461 CE. Purple sandstone tombstone. Epitaph.

Transcription

+ ΜημῖονΜνημεῖον Κύρα Ὀβόδου, ἀποθανοῦσαἀποθανούσης μετμετὰ καλοῦ ὀνόματος ετῶν λεʹ ἐν ἒτιἔτει τνςʹ, μηνὸς Ξανθικοῦ γʹ, ἠμέρᾳ κυρίου ςʹ. θάρσιθάρσει οὐδὶςοὐδείς ἀθανατος. + + + +

Translation

Monument of Kyra, (daughter) of Obodas, who died having a good name (at the age) of 35 years, in the year 356, on (the) 3rd (day) of (the) month Xanthikos, on (the) 6th day of (the) Lord (Friday). 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 6th day of the Lord (Friday), the 3rd day of the month Xanthikos, in the year 356 according to the Era of the Province of Arabia, that is March 24, 461 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 relatively rectangular, and chipped all around. The inscribed surface for the text has been left unsmoothed in the lower part. An outlined cross filled with chi-signs and with four dots in its corners is below the text, with two heraldic birds flanking it, all in red paint. A similar image also appears above the text. The text and bottom scene are enclosed within a frame. This frame is engraved and painted red on three sides, while the right side is only painted. The text is within engraved guide-lines, some of which are painted red. The script is both round and square, the letters fairly well cut and aligned. The author notes that the final alpha in the word μετά on the third line of text is unfinished.

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 61.5 cm; W: 33 cm; D: 09 cm

Date

461 CE to 461 CE

Current location

Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Figures

  • Bird flanking crosses above and below text

  • Frame around inscription and bottom image

  • Guide lines between lines of text

  • Chi within crosses above and below inscription

  • Cross above and below text. three also end the last line of text.

  • Dots four, within crosses above and below 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, 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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Cite This Inscription

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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," ZOOR0208, 7 February 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89