DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.45618#0045
Simkhar
205
μν^σθ^τι τού άεϊνος.1 In Waddington’s collection, for example, μν^σθίϊ is found four times,2
μνησθά3 (doubtless for μνησθείη) once, and ρ.ν<σθητι four times.4 5 The form μυχ?σθ^ .is
regularly followed by the nominative.6 Compare, for example, P. A. E. S. 111, a, 67 :
ΜνησΘτ? Αύσαλλας, οπού άν κ,0 or A. A. E. S. in, 336: MvvjffSji Μαρώυας^ λιθοτόμος. Also
Nos. 1170 and 1175 above, and 1204 and 1205 below. Clearly then this form was
used in the passive sense: so also the forms εμν^σθησαν and εμν^σθη in Acts x, 31 and
Revelation xvi, 19. In an inscription from “Deir-Salibe”, published by M. Victor Chapot
in B. C. H. xxvi (1902), p. 196, No. 43, the form μνησθωσιν appears: ΧΜΓ μντησθώσιν
Εύφρόνιος Μήνας Βερυικίανός τεχνΐται κτλ. In commenting upon this inscription M. Chapot
says: “Au debut la formule Χριστός, Μιχο^λ, Γαβριήλ7 suivie du verbe μν/^σθώσιν pour
invoquer le souvenir et appeler la protection de Dieu et des anges. Μνόσθ^τι est une
formule usuelle dans les prieres, et elle a passe dans les epitaphes.” But whatever
may be the meaning of the letters X Μ Γ, M. Chapot’s interpretation of the μνησθωσιν
is certainly erroneous. In view of the other texts just quoted, it seems to me clear
that the verb in M. Chapot’s inscription is passive, and that the names which follow
it are the subjects.
Less strange than this use of deponent forms in a passive sense is the use of the
third person singular of the subjunctive for the third singular of the imperative. As
M. Uspensky has pointed out in editing the inscription published above under No. 1170,
this use is in conformity with the development of the Greek language in post-classical times.8
1204. Same Building. On the lintel of the same doorway as Nos. 1203 and 1205.
The stone is 1.84 m. long and 41 cm. high. It is without mouldings, and all the
carving is crude and badly finished. Ornament and letters alike are incised. The letters
are from 4 to ό1^ cm. high. Copied by Professor Littmann.
Εις Θεός ο' βοηθών Τιμάς.
’Μνησθιί ο ηρά^ας.
One God who aideth us.
May he who wrote this be
remembered !
See the commentary on the preceding inscription.
1205. Same Building. On two stones, one below the other, in the right jamb
of the same doorway as Nos. 1203 and 1204. I am not sure, however, that any two
1 Compare Luke XXIII, 42, and A. A. E. S. m, 284 and 293.
2 Wad. 1886 «, 2270, 2277 and 2278.
3 Wad. 2464.
4 Wad. 2087, 2090, 2562 I and 2634 = A. A. E. S. Ill, 293.
5 Even in Wad. 1886 a·. Μν^σ-Sfi Μαρνονς I believe that the name is certainly a nominative, and not a genitive from
Μάριος as Waddington, supposed. Compare Clermont-Ganneau: Recueil d’Archeologie Orientale, I, p. 170.
6 See, however, P. A. E. S. Ill, A, 40: Mvrf Γεωργίαν.
1 See above, p. 171 f.
8 Th. Uspensky: Archaeological Monuments of Syria, 1902, p. 72 note 2 = “Izviestiya." of the Russian Arch. Institute
at Constantinople, Vol. vii, p. 164. K. Dieterich: Untersuchungen zur Geschichte dergriech. S/rac/zc, 1898, p. 206. Cf. Hatzidakis:
Einleitung in. die neu-griechische Grammatik, 1892, p. 218, and Fr. Blass: Grammatik des Neutestament. Griechisch, 2te Auflage,
1902, p. 213 f.
Inscr. 1204.
H M A gWn K ce HvCtCpA
205
μν^σθ^τι τού άεϊνος.1 In Waddington’s collection, for example, μν^σθίϊ is found four times,2
μνησθά3 (doubtless for μνησθείη) once, and ρ.ν<σθητι four times.4 5 The form μυχ?σθ^ .is
regularly followed by the nominative.6 Compare, for example, P. A. E. S. 111, a, 67 :
ΜνησΘτ? Αύσαλλας, οπού άν κ,0 or A. A. E. S. in, 336: MvvjffSji Μαρώυας^ λιθοτόμος. Also
Nos. 1170 and 1175 above, and 1204 and 1205 below. Clearly then this form was
used in the passive sense: so also the forms εμν^σθησαν and εμν^σθη in Acts x, 31 and
Revelation xvi, 19. In an inscription from “Deir-Salibe”, published by M. Victor Chapot
in B. C. H. xxvi (1902), p. 196, No. 43, the form μνησθωσιν appears: ΧΜΓ μντησθώσιν
Εύφρόνιος Μήνας Βερυικίανός τεχνΐται κτλ. In commenting upon this inscription M. Chapot
says: “Au debut la formule Χριστός, Μιχο^λ, Γαβριήλ7 suivie du verbe μν/^σθώσιν pour
invoquer le souvenir et appeler la protection de Dieu et des anges. Μνόσθ^τι est une
formule usuelle dans les prieres, et elle a passe dans les epitaphes.” But whatever
may be the meaning of the letters X Μ Γ, M. Chapot’s interpretation of the μνησθωσιν
is certainly erroneous. In view of the other texts just quoted, it seems to me clear
that the verb in M. Chapot’s inscription is passive, and that the names which follow
it are the subjects.
Less strange than this use of deponent forms in a passive sense is the use of the
third person singular of the subjunctive for the third singular of the imperative. As
M. Uspensky has pointed out in editing the inscription published above under No. 1170,
this use is in conformity with the development of the Greek language in post-classical times.8
1204. Same Building. On the lintel of the same doorway as Nos. 1203 and 1205.
The stone is 1.84 m. long and 41 cm. high. It is without mouldings, and all the
carving is crude and badly finished. Ornament and letters alike are incised. The letters
are from 4 to ό1^ cm. high. Copied by Professor Littmann.
Εις Θεός ο' βοηθών Τιμάς.
’Μνησθιί ο ηρά^ας.
One God who aideth us.
May he who wrote this be
remembered !
See the commentary on the preceding inscription.
1205. Same Building. On two stones, one below the other, in the right jamb
of the same doorway as Nos. 1203 and 1204. I am not sure, however, that any two
1 Compare Luke XXIII, 42, and A. A. E. S. m, 284 and 293.
2 Wad. 1886 «, 2270, 2277 and 2278.
3 Wad. 2464.
4 Wad. 2087, 2090, 2562 I and 2634 = A. A. E. S. Ill, 293.
5 Even in Wad. 1886 a·. Μν^σ-Sfi Μαρνονς I believe that the name is certainly a nominative, and not a genitive from
Μάριος as Waddington, supposed. Compare Clermont-Ganneau: Recueil d’Archeologie Orientale, I, p. 170.
6 See, however, P. A. E. S. Ill, A, 40: Mvrf Γεωργίαν.
1 See above, p. 171 f.
8 Th. Uspensky: Archaeological Monuments of Syria, 1902, p. 72 note 2 = “Izviestiya." of the Russian Arch. Institute
at Constantinople, Vol. vii, p. 164. K. Dieterich: Untersuchungen zur Geschichte dergriech. S/rac/zc, 1898, p. 206. Cf. Hatzidakis:
Einleitung in. die neu-griechische Grammatik, 1892, p. 218, and Fr. Blass: Grammatik des Neutestament. Griechisch, 2te Auflage,
1902, p. 213 f.
Inscr. 1204.
H M A gWn K ce HvCtCpA