Floor-mosaic with a Greek inscription invoking *George (soldier and martyr, S00259). Found at ‘Ein Dab, near Eleutheropolis, in the Judean Hills (Roman province of Palaestina I). Probably second half of the 6th c.
Evidence ID
E04528
Type of Evidence
Inscriptions - Formal inscriptions (stone, mosaic, etc.)
Archaeological and architectural - Cult buildings (churches, mausolea)
῏ο ἅγιε Γε-
όργι(ε), βοήθ(ει)
Γεόργι(ο)ν τὸ-
ν πρεσβύ-
τερον· ἀμ-
[ή]ν, Κύρ(ιε)
'O Saint George, help Georgios, the presbyter! Amen, O Lord!'
Text: SEG 62, 1663.
Cult Places
Cult building - independent (church)
Non Liturgical ActivityPrayer/supplication/invocation
Protagonists in Cult and NarrativesEcclesiastics - lesser clergy
Source
The inscription is within a medallion set in the floor of the south aisle of a three-aisled basilica. The medallion is framed by a circle, and belongs to a floor-mosaic decorated with geometrical motifs.The ancient ruins of Khirbet ‘Ein Dab have been known to European travellers since the 19th c. The basilica lies in the eastern part of the site. A description of the church was published in 2012 by Yuval Peleg, who also mentions our inscription and gives a transcription by Leah Di Segni.
Discussion
The inscription invokes the help of Saint George for a homonymous presbyter, probably a benefactor who paid for the floor-mosaics in this section of the church.Dating: Yuval Peleg notes that the church must have been built in the mid-6th c. or later, as below the floor-mosaic in the narthex a coin was found, dated AD 548/549. The construction of the church must, therefore, postdate it.
Bibliography
Edition:Peleg, Y., "A Byzantine church at Khirbet ‘Ein Dab", in: N. Carmin, E. Levin, C. Ebert, M. Gugenheim (eds.), Christians and Christianity, vol. 4: Churches and Monasteries in Judea (Judea and Samaria Publications 16, Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority, 2012), 44.
Reference works:
Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum 62, 1663.
Record Created By
Paweł Nowakowski
Date of Entry
26/12/2017
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S00259 | George, soldier and martyr, and Companions | Γεόργις | Certain |
|---|
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL:
Paweł Nowakowski, Cult of Saints, E04528 - http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E04528