Artefact ID | 1345 |
TM ID | TM 397749 |
Findspot (DEChriM ID) | 44 (al-Iskandariyya) | Class | Funerary element, Textual |
Material | Plaster |
Writing medium | Dipinto, Inscription |
Text content | Subliterary |
Language | Greek |
Description | SEG LIII 1947: Invocation of Christ and quotation from the Bible Large inscription painted in red, in two columns separated by three crosses. Below the middle cross, in the middle of the wall, one large wreath containing another cross flanked by the letters omega on the left, and alpha on the right. Under the two texts, in the left and right bottom corners, two crosses with alpha-omega; and in the middle of them, under the wreath, another cross. The text on the left reads "Christ, help!"; on the right side: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (Proverbs, 3-34). Use of nomen sacrum; triple diaeresis on initial upsilon. |
Selection criteria | Christian terms/formulas/concepts, Christian symbols/gestures/isopsephy, Nomina sacra, Biblical quote or paraphrase |
Date from | 300 |
Date to | 450 |
Dating criteria | Not dated in ed. pr. The Année épigraphique 2003: 1843 suggests 4-6th c. but according to Lefebvre 1907: xxxiii, the omega-alpha at the ends of the horizontal branches of a cross is a very ancient motif, appearing on inscriptions that generally precede the Peace of the Church; see also IGChrEg 45 [VS]. |
Absolute/relative date | Relative date |
Archaeological context | El-Gabbari, funerary chambers in the western necropolis: Grave 8, room 5; inside: back wall. |
Accession number | Alexandria, El-Gabbari, excavations DAI 1974-1976, in situ. |