Inscriptions from Israel and Palestine
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ZOOR0272

Negev. Zoora. July 19, in the second half of fourth century CE. Tombstone. Epitaph.
Transcription

+ + + ΜνημῖονΜνημεῖον Ὀλεφος Θέμου, ἀποθανόντος ἐτῶν βʹ. ἐν μηνὶ Πανένμῳ λʹ. ΘάρσιΘάρσει οὐδὶςοὐδείς ἀθάνατος.

Translation

Monument of Olefos, (son) of Themos, who died (at the age) of 2 years, on (the) 30th (day) of the month Panemos. Be of good cheer, no one (is) immortal.

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
The only dating information the text offers is the 30th day of the month Panemos, that is, July 19. Other factors have been used to arrive at probable date of the second half of the fourth century 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 rectangular, broken on its bottom sides and pointed and curved at its top. The inscribed surface is partially covered with salt crystals. The text is engraved and bears traces of red paint. A large outlined cross is inscribed above the text. A small cross with serifs is engraved to the right and left sides of the large cross. The author notes that the names recorded in the inscription appear elsewhere at Ghor es-Safi. The text contains spelling and grammatical errors.

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 48 cm; W: 30 cm; D: 5.5 cm

Date

350 CE to 399 CE

Current location

Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Figures

  • Cross above 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," ZOOR0272, 18 November 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89