Clay stamp bearing an image and Greek inscription, in mirror writing, of *Longinos (centurion of the Crucifixion, S00926) identified by the epithet Kreneus (‘of the fountain?’). Found during archaeological excavations at Chersonesus/Cherson (north Black Sea); 6th century.
Evidence ID
E07065
Type of Evidence
Inscriptions - Inscribed objects
Images and objects - Lamps, ampullae and tokens
The stamp depicts the saint as a bearded man with halo, wearing a short tunic and chlamys, and holding a staff surmounted with a cross, and a shield. He is flanked by two cypress trees. The scene is surrounded by the following inscription, written in mirror-writing:
+ Εὐλογία τ[οῦ] ἁγίου Λογγίν[ο]υ Κρηνέω[ς
'Blessing of Saint Longinos Kreneus ['of the fountain?']'
Diameter: 9.8 cm
The piece was found in 1989, in block 3 of the port area of ancient Cherson. It was probably used for stamping bread.
Cult Places
Holy spring/well/river
Activities accompanying CultProduction and selling of eulogiai, tokens
Use of ImagesCommissioning/producing an image
Discussion
Like the other stamps with images of saints found at Cherson (E07064, E07066), this may belong to a local shrine at Cherson dedicated to the Cappadocian martyr Longinos, the centurion at the Crucifixion. The meaning of the epithet kreneus is obscure, but may denote an association with a fountain (κρήνη) or a locality named after one.This image of Longinos, depicting him in military attire, is strikingly similar to a relief depiction of the saint on a 6th century column capital from Jordan (E02617).
Bibliography
Yashaeva, T., The Legacy of Byzantine Cherson (Sevastopol-Austin, 2011), Cat. Nr. 373.Images
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Picture from Yashaeva 2011, Cat. Nr. 373
Record Created By
Efthymios Rizos
Date of Entry
6/11/2018
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S00926 | Longinos/Longinus, centurion at the Crucifixion | Λογγῖνος | Certain |
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Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL:
Efthymios Rizos, Cult of Saints, E07065 - http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E07065