Inscription number:
4
Selected bibliography:
22 (ph.) (in Hebrew) (ed. pr.) | |
276, pls. CLXXXIII-IV | |
682, no. 232, fig. 284 (ph.) | |
99, no. 135, fig. 18 (ph.) |
Epigraphical corpora:
SEG 30 (1980): 1691; 34 (1984): 1472
CIIP III (2014): 2545 (phs.)
Inscription type:
label/sign
Location:
Findspot: In the northern aisle, third intercolumnation from the west.
Pres. loc.: Israel Museum, Jerusalem, IAA inv. no. 1977-416.
Physical description :
The panel depicts a man leading a camel laden with baskets and vessels. Above his head is just one word.
Text:
Ὄρβικον
Translation:
Orbicon.
Date:
July 578
Summary:
Mosaic panel depicting a man leading a camel, in the northern aisle.
"Orbicon" may be a Greek form of the Latin name Urbicus: in this case the vignette is the portrait of a benefactor of the church, depicted in the act of delivering his offering. However, it is difficult to explain the desinence -ον, either as an accusative or a neuter; moreover, the transcription of Urbicus is generally Οὔρβικος. In my opinion, ὄρβικον might be derived from the Latin word orbis, "cycle", with the meaning of "periodic offering": κυκλκὸν φόρον, with reference to the dead depicted in the panel: the bringing of seasonal offerings to the church.