DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45613#0031
Temek.
13
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock: thou that
art seated upon the cherubim shine forth In (the) year 8γι, indiction 8.
(559-60 A.D.)
832. Lintel. Part of a mutilated lintel, now used as a beam to support the
roof of a modern dwelling. It measures 1.57 m. in length and 18 cm. in height. In
the center there was, originally, a disk, 42 cm. in diameter, containing an eight-arm
cross in relief. The stone is broken at the bottom through the center of this disk and
through the second line of letters: it is also broken at the left end, but is complete
at the right. Doubtless the original lintel was about 36 cm. wide, and contained a
third line of letters. In its present state the first part of the inscription is 5 1 cm. long,
the second part cm. The letters, 8 cm. high, are in relief, and are executed in
bands sunk below the surface.
Inscr. 832. Scale 1 : 20.
[ώς α’]νε'λαβεν ’Αβρααμ ξενισ[ας τ(ους) αγγέλους,
·<κτισεν Σε[
(As?) Abraham received the angels in
hospitality, Se-built
Undoubtedly the text refers to the story told in Genesis xvm, 1 ff. Compare
also Hebrews xm, 2: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares”.
833. Lintel (?). A fragment built into the wall of a modern dwelling, facing on
a courtyard, about the center of the town. It is 33 cm. long, and 56I/2cm.. high.
The monograms and letters are in relief below the surface. Copy by
Dr. Littmann.
The second of the two monograms seems to be the name Θωμά,
apparently in the genitive case. Compare Nos. 915 and 861. If so, then
this would indicate that some, at least, of these monograms were composed
of complete words, not initial letters: also that in such cases the letters
are to be read first from left to right, then from the top downwards.
This is obviously true in Nos. 893, 912 etc. On the other hand, not every
letter can be attached to every arm of a cross conveniently: for example,
Y can very readily be attached to the upper arm, but Λ cannot. Consequently I have
wondered whether perhaps the first of the two monograms may not have had a TT at
the left and an Y at the top. The letter at the right may then be intended both for
Λ and also for a N with the cross-stroke reversed. If so, then Πυλών might be read,
and, taking the two monograms together, Πυλών Θωμά: {The) gateway of Thomas\
Oestrup, in his publication of the inscription from the gateway of the barracks at
il-Anderin s, suggested that the letters Θ, ω, M, A signify Θεός μέγιστος ’Άλφα (καί) ’Ω.
It certainly seems more natural that a monogram of this sort should have a religious
or occult significance, rather than signify merely a proper name. Perhaps then these two
monograms together mean This is the gateway of God Most Mighty, Alpha and Omega.
The date was evidently contained in the line below the monograms, and has been
lost, only the indiction number, 12, remaining.
I. e. of the church of St. Thomas (?)
2 See No. 915 below.
13
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock: thou that
art seated upon the cherubim shine forth In (the) year 8γι, indiction 8.
(559-60 A.D.)
832. Lintel. Part of a mutilated lintel, now used as a beam to support the
roof of a modern dwelling. It measures 1.57 m. in length and 18 cm. in height. In
the center there was, originally, a disk, 42 cm. in diameter, containing an eight-arm
cross in relief. The stone is broken at the bottom through the center of this disk and
through the second line of letters: it is also broken at the left end, but is complete
at the right. Doubtless the original lintel was about 36 cm. wide, and contained a
third line of letters. In its present state the first part of the inscription is 5 1 cm. long,
the second part cm. The letters, 8 cm. high, are in relief, and are executed in
bands sunk below the surface.
Inscr. 832. Scale 1 : 20.
[ώς α’]νε'λαβεν ’Αβρααμ ξενισ[ας τ(ους) αγγέλους,
·<κτισεν Σε[
(As?) Abraham received the angels in
hospitality, Se-built
Undoubtedly the text refers to the story told in Genesis xvm, 1 ff. Compare
also Hebrews xm, 2: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares”.
833. Lintel (?). A fragment built into the wall of a modern dwelling, facing on
a courtyard, about the center of the town. It is 33 cm. long, and 56I/2cm.. high.
The monograms and letters are in relief below the surface. Copy by
Dr. Littmann.
The second of the two monograms seems to be the name Θωμά,
apparently in the genitive case. Compare Nos. 915 and 861. If so, then
this would indicate that some, at least, of these monograms were composed
of complete words, not initial letters: also that in such cases the letters
are to be read first from left to right, then from the top downwards.
This is obviously true in Nos. 893, 912 etc. On the other hand, not every
letter can be attached to every arm of a cross conveniently: for example,
Y can very readily be attached to the upper arm, but Λ cannot. Consequently I have
wondered whether perhaps the first of the two monograms may not have had a TT at
the left and an Y at the top. The letter at the right may then be intended both for
Λ and also for a N with the cross-stroke reversed. If so, then Πυλών might be read,
and, taking the two monograms together, Πυλών Θωμά: {The) gateway of Thomas\
Oestrup, in his publication of the inscription from the gateway of the barracks at
il-Anderin s, suggested that the letters Θ, ω, M, A signify Θεός μέγιστος ’Άλφα (καί) ’Ω.
It certainly seems more natural that a monogram of this sort should have a religious
or occult significance, rather than signify merely a proper name. Perhaps then these two
monograms together mean This is the gateway of God Most Mighty, Alpha and Omega.
The date was evidently contained in the line below the monograms, and has been
lost, only the indiction number, 12, remaining.
I. e. of the church of St. Thomas (?)
2 See No. 915 below.