Very fragmentary Greek graffito on a pot, published as probably referring to 'Saint *Moses' (Old Testament prophet and lawgiver, S00241). Found at the basilica of Moses at Mount Nebo/Siyagha (province of Arabia/Jordan). Probably 6th/7th c.
Evidence ID
E02852
Type of Evidence
Inscriptions - Graffiti
Inscriptions - Inscribed objects
Images and objects - Other portable objects (metalwork, ivory, etc.)
Small rhomboid fragment, probably of a jar. Reddish core. Preserved length c. 5.5 cm.
Found at the basilica, in the north hall (areas VI-VII). First published by Bellarmino Bagatti in 1985. Re-published and re-interpreted by Leah Di Segni in 1998.
Inscription (made before the vessel was fired):
ΟΥ Α
.
Di Segni's interpretation: possibly τ]οῦ ἁ[γίου] | [Μου]σ[ῆ]/'Of Saint Moses'.
Text: Di Segni 1998, no. 28.
Cult Places
Cult building - independent (church)
Cult Related ObjectsOther
Discussion
The fragment certainly bears three letters, below which one can see traces of the possible upper parts of yet another letter (identified as 'Μ' by Di Segni). Bagatti, the first editor of the fragment, did not comment on the contents of the inscription, but Di Segni wonders 'if the inscription could not have indicated the belonging of the ware to this church [i.e. the basilica of Moses].' She refers to the fragment again, in comments on a similar piece of pottery from Caesarea Maritima (see Di Segni 2000, 400, note 23 and E02844, cf. E02920), repeating the supposition.This is a bold restoration, and we see no evidence to support the claim that the jar bore an inscription referring to Moses or to a church dedicated to him.
Bibliography
Edition:Di Segni, L., "The Greek Inscriptions", in: Piccirillo, M., Alliata, E. (eds.), Mount Nebo: new archaeological excavations, 1967-1997, vol. 2 (Jerusalem: Stadium Biblicum Franciscanum, 1998), 436-437, no. 28.
Bagatti, B., "Nuova ceramica del Monte Nebo (Siyagha)", Liber Annuus 35 (1985), 270, no. 1.
Further reading:
Di Segni, L., "A Chapel of St. Paul at Caesarea Maritima? The Inscriptions", Liber Annuus 50 (2000), 400, note 23.
Images
)
From: Di Segni 1998, 437.
Record Created By
Paweł Nowakowski
Date of Entry
26/05/2017
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S00241 | Moses, Old Testament prophet and lawgiver | Uncertain |
|---|
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL:
Paweł Nowakowski, Cult of Saints, E02852 - http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E02852