Lid of a limestone reliquary, covered by four Greek inscriptions referring to *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), *Christophoros (martyr of Pamphylia, S00616), a certain *John (probably the Baptist, S00020, or the Apostle and Evangelist, S00042), and the *Apostles, all of them with unnamed companions (?). Unknown provenance (possibly Syria), now in the Benaki Museum (Athens). Probably 5th-6th c.
E02967
Inscriptions - Inscribed objects
Archaeological and architectural - Extant reliquaries and related fixtures
Lid of a limestone reliquary in the form of a sarcophagus. Dimensions: H. 0.215 m; W. 0.195 m. The lid, which has an unusual double-gabled shape, offers altogether four inscribed surfaces. Provenance unknown: probably Syria. Now in the Benaki Museum (Athens).
The lid was first published in 2011 by Anastasia Drandaki, in the catalogue of the exhibition Transitions to Christianity. Art of Late Antiquity, 3rd-7th century AD. The editor offered the following text of the inscriptions (in majuscule, and without line breaks):
+ μαρτύριον τοῦ +
Στεφάνου καὶ τῆς
συνοδίας αὐτοῦ +
'+ Martyr shrine/reliquary (martyrion) of + Saint Stephen and his company (synodia). +'
+ μαρτύριον τοῦ ἁγί-
ου Χριστοφόρου +
καὶ τῆς συνοδίας
'+ Martyr shrine/reliquary (martyrion) of Saint Christophoros + and the company (synodia). +'
+ μαρτύριον τῶν +
ἁγίων ἀποστόλων
καὶ τῆς + συνοδίας
'+ Martyr shrine/reliquary (martyrion) of the + holy Apostles and the + company (synodia).'
+ μαρτύριον τοῦ +
ἁγίου Ἰωάννου
καὶ τῆς + συνοδίας
'+ Martyr shrine/reliquary (martyrion) of + Saint John and the company (synodia). +'
The editor also notes finely carved crosses under the arcades of the vertical sides of the lid. Yet another cross, with triangular spreading ends of branches is present 'on the lower part of the lid'. Its lower branch develops into a base. The following inscriptions flanks the cross:
Ἰ(ησο)ῦ Χ(ριστ)έ/'O Jesus Christ!'
Text: Drandaki 2011.
Martyr shrine (martyrion, bet sāhedwātā, etc.)
RelicsReliquary – institutionally owned
Source
The reliquary was seen by members of the project on 1 March 2017.The label, displayed in the showcase together with the reliquary, reads: 'Lid of a limestone reliquary used for the consecration of a church. Since the late 4th century, such vessels were placed in the Sanctuary, under the altar. The inscriptions that cover the surface of the lid refer to the saints whose relics were kept in the vessel. From Asia Minor or Syria (?), 6th century.'
Discussion
The inscription, carved on the reliquary is an unusual one. First, the casket itself is apparently termed martyrion/'martyr shrine' while reliquaries were normally described as theke or larnaks (but cf. the supposed reliquary inscription from Sugane in north Syria: E01661). Second, Stephen is not named hagios/'saint', possibly due to the lack of space. However, as his name is preceded by the definite article and the other inscription clearly refers to the Apostles, termed hagoi, we can be sure that Stephen the First Martyr is the saint in question. The term synodia, which is associated with both the Apostles and Stephen, can denote a group of unnamed companions of a given saint, or, theoretically, a civic or Christian (religious) community. To us the meaning of the term is not entirely clear in the present context, especially in the case of Stephen who had no fellow martyrs. The editor suggest that the term synodia is used with reference to its appearance in martyrdom accounts. This is an interesting supposition, as the entire phrase can also be understood as 'Martyrdom (= event) of so-and-so, and the company', or as 'Martyrdom (account) of so-and-so, and the company'.Provenance: Syria is the most likely provenance, given the form of the reliquary.
Bibliography
Edition:A. Drandaki, "Lid of stone reliquary", in: A. Lazaridou (ed.), Transitions to Christianity. Art of Late Antiquity, 3rd-7th century AD: Catalogue of an exhibition held at the Onassis Cultural Center, New York City, December 7, 2011-May 14, 2012 (New York - Athens: Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation - Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 2011), 130-131, no. 90.
Images
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The reliquary on display in the Benaki Museum (Athens).
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From: http://www.mygola.com/benaki-museum-p32211/images
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The other side of the lid. From: Drandaki 2011, 130.
Paweł Nowakowski
13/06/2017
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S00020 | John the Baptist | Ἰωάννης | Uncertain | S00030 | Stephen, the First Martyr | Στέφανος | Certain | S00042 | John, the Apostle and Evangelist | Ἰωάννης | Uncertain | S00060 | Martyrs, unnamed or name lost | συνοδία | Certain | S00084 | Apostles, unnamed or name lost | Ἀπόστολοι | Certain | S00616 | Christophoros, martyr of Pamphylia | Χριστοφόρος | Certain |
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Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL:
Paweł Nowakowski, Cult of Saints, E02967 - http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E02967