Inscriptions from Israel and Palestine
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Location

ZOOR0279

Negev. Zoora. Last quarter of fourth century CE. Greenish sandstone tombstone. Epitaph.
Transcription

ΜνημῖονΜνημεῖον ΚοζμᾶςΚοσμᾶς ἈβδαμόχοσυἈβδαμόχου, ΠετρέοςΠετραίος, ὀποθανόντοςἐτῶνἀποθανόντος μʹ.

Translation

Monument of Kosmas, (son) of Abdamochos, from Petra, who died (at the age) of 40 years.

Diplomatic

[no diplomatic]

Terminus post quem:
Terminus ante quem:
Notes
While no date has been provided in the text, the inscription has been dated to the last quarter of the fourth century CE on the strength of other factors. 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 has been mended from three fragments and is rectangular. A rectangular frame surrounds the text. A cross is depicted above and to the right of the frame, in an oblique position. The cross is faded, having originally been drawn in red paint. The frame and text are engraved and painted red. The author suggests that the frequent use of the name Κοσμᾶς in this area is probably indicative of the spread of the healing cult of Saints Cosman and Damian. She also notes that the name Ἀβδάμοχος vulgar spelling of the name Ἀβδομάνχος, found elsewhere at Ghor es-Safi. She indicates that the sigma ending the name Ἀβδομάνχος has been written over with an upsalon.

Languages

Greek

Dimensions

H: 56.5 cm; W: 30 cm; D: 06.5 cm

Date

375 CE to 400 CE

Current location

Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Figures

  • Cross above and to the left of the frame

  • Frame around 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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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," ZOOR0279, 14 November 2025. https:doi.org/10.26300/pz1d-st89