Pilgrim ampulla from a shrine of *Sergios (soldier and martyr of Rusafa, S00023), bearing a Greek inscription and an image of the saint on horseback. Now in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. Provenance unknown, probably Syria or Palestine. Probably 6th c.
Evidence ID
E04150
Type of Evidence
Inscriptions - Inscribed objects
Images and objects - Lamps, ampullae and tokens
Pilgrim ampulla of unknown provenance. Now in the Walters Art Gallery (Baltimore). First published by Josef Engemann in 2002.
Both sides of the body are decorated with an image of a rider with nimbus. He is holding a spear with a cross on both ends. The editor notes that no demon or other evil entity is shown under the horse, a common motif on other ampullae with holy riders.
The neck is decorated with a cross under an arch. One side of the ampulla is corroded, the other has a small hole near the head of the rider.
The inscription which runs around the image of the rider, on both sides, reads:
+ εὐλογία Κυρίου ἁγίου Σεργίου
'+ Eulogia of the Lord Saint Sergios.'
Text: Engemann 2002, 158
Cult PlacesVisiting graves and shrines
RelicsContact relic - oil
Cult Related Objects
Cult building - independent (church)
Non Liturgical ActivityVisiting graves and shrines
Pilgrimage
RelicsContact relic - oil
Ampullae, eulogiai, tokens
Cult Related ObjectsAmpullae, flasks, etc.
Discussion
The ampulla certainly comes from a shrine dedicated to Sergios, the soldier and martyr of Rusafa. It probably contained holy oil, acquired by a pilgrim visiting the shrine. The ampulla could have been produced in Rusafa itself, or in another sanctuary of the saint.Dating: While there is no reliable way to precisely date our object, pilgrim ampullae are usually dated to the 6th c. For Engemann's discussion of the style of the image of Sergios, and possible parallels that provide some hints towards dating the ampulla, see Engemann 2002, 159-160.
Bibliography
Edition:Engemann, J., "Palästinische früchristliche Pilgerampullen. Erstveröffentlichungen und Berichtigungen", Jahrbuch für Antike und Christentum 45 (2002), 158-160.
Reference works:
Chroniques d'épigraphie byzantine, 701.
Images
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From: Engemann 2002, Tafel 8.
Record Created By
Paweł Nowakowski
Date of Entry
13/10/2017
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S00023 | Sergios, soldier and martyr of Rusafa | Σέργιος | Certain |
|---|
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL:
Paweł Nowakowski, Cult of Saints, E04150 - http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E04150