409-410, pl. I,2 (ph.) (ed. pr.) | |
77-78, no. 2, fig. 2 (ph.) (ed. pr.) | |
11, no. 22 | |
2359-2360 | |
170, no. 125,4 | |
II, 287-288 |
SEG 8 (1937): 194a
CIIP I.2 (2012): 801 (ph., dr.)
Findspot: In the centre of a room on the north side of the ancient basilica, near its northeastern corner, in the grounds of St. Peter in Gallicantu.
Pres. loc.: In situ. Autopsy: 18 September 2008 (Leah Di Segni).
Three-line mosaic inscription within a tabula ansata set in a rough white mosaic pavement, 8x10 m. The letters, black on a white background, are roughly traced, with some cursive forms. Red and black sprigs in the tabula handles. Lunate sigma.
Meas.: h 26, w 93 cm with handles, 65 without; letters 5-6 cm.
☩ Κ(ύριο)ς φυλάξῃ τ(ὴ)ν [εἴ-
σοδόν σου κ(αὶ)
τὴν ἔξοσόν σου.
May the Lord protect your coming in and your going out.
l.1 τ[ὴν εἰ] Germer-Durand, Thomsen, SEG, Bieberstein - Bloedhorn; “A la fin de la l.1, il est tout à fait impossible de se rendre compte sur place de ce que le mosaïste a prétendu écrire pour τήν: il y a nettement deux Τ et le débris saisissable à la suite produirait plutôt l’impression d’une lettre ronde: C ou Є; on peut conjecturer quelque méchante ligature compliquant l’itacisme ΤΝ = τίν.” Vincent; ΤΗ[--] Abel; l. 2: κ[αὶ] Thomsen, Bieberstein - Bloedhorn.
Three-line mosaic inscription with Pslams quotation within a tabula ansata, on the north side of the ancient basilica.
The inscription is located in the centre of the room and oriented to the west, towards a flight of steps leading into another room at a higher level, probably a passageway into the adjoining church. A stepped street passed a few meters north, and the room seemingly served as a vestibule leading into the church. Vincent, followed by Thomsen, dated this inscription to the 8-9 c. because of the rough form of the letters, but this is no certain indication. However, since the basilica was in use for many centuries, is it quite possible that the mosaic floor in the vestibule was renovated, and the inscription may well be much later than the foundation of the church.
Ps 120 (121),8 is among the most often quoted in churches, always near the entrance. For examples, see Felle, Biblia epigraphica, nos. 80, 96, 99-100, 108-109, 112-115 (from provincia Arabia); 166, 176, 180, 194, 202-204, 206, 210-211 (Palaestina), and many others from other regions.