Scythopolis/Beth Shean - KYRA MARIA

Church/Monastery name:

Inscription number:

Selected bibliography:

FitzGerald, G. M., 1931	63, pl. I (ph.)
FitzGerald, G. M., 1939	7, pls. VI-VIII (phs.)
Di Segni, L., 1997	402-403, no. 107, fig. 141 (ph.)
Madden, A. M., 2014	162, no. 237, fig. 31 (ph.)

Abbreviation for Journals and Series

Epigraphical corpora:

SEG 8 (1937): 42

Inscription type:

label/sign

Location:

In the central panel of the mosaic pavement of the entrance hall (Room A).

Physical description :

The central motif of the pavement in the hall is a circular panel representing a zodaic. The busts of the Sun and the Moon holding torches occupy the central medallion, surrounded by a radiate pattern framing the figures of the months represented as men engaged in various seasonal activities. Each panel contains the name of the month and the number of its days. Though the content of the inscriptions provides no information - except for the use of the Julian calendar - nevertheless the palaeography is of interest. The numerals are marked with a horizontal storke; the word ἡμέ(ραι) is abbreviated with a lifted epsilon. The iota is double-dotted.

Text:

Translation:

January [31] days, February 28 days, March 31 days, April 30 days, May 31 days, June 30 days, July 31 days, August 31 days, September 30 days, October 31 days, November 30 days, December 31 days.

Commentary:

The inscription is set in the same mosaic pavement as inscription no. 3, which is dated to 553/4, or more probably 568/9.

Date:

553/4 or rather 568/9

Summary:

Zodaic in the central panel of the mosaic pavement of the entrance hall (Room A).

Epigraphical Abbreviations:

horizontal stroke for numerals, lifted epsilon for ἡμέ(ραι)