Shivta - St. George (North Church)

Inscription number: 
8
Selected bibliography: 
51-52, no. 50, ph. 45 (ed. pr.)
32, no. 24 (dr.)
298, no. 510
147
837-838, no. 335, figs. 385 A-B (ph., dr.)
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Epigraphical corpora: 

SEG 31 (1981): 1428

Inscription type: 
epitaph
Location: 

Findspot: On a tombstone in the narthex.

Pres. loc.: IAA, Inv. no. 36.1272, neg. no. 19.744.

Physical description : 

The epitaph is engraved on an almost square tombstone, adorned with a carved frame and a wreathed cross in its lower part. The text begins and ends with crosses. The mu is malformed and rather resembles a nu

Text: 

      ☩ Ἀνεπάε ἡ τρισ-

      μακ(αρία) Σαβίνα Γε-

      ωργίου Σελα-

4    μάνου ⟨μ⟩
η(νὶ) Ξαν-

      θικ(οῦ) αʹ ἰνδ(ικτιῶνος) δʹ

      ἔτους φμαʹ. ☩

Translation: 

Came to rest the thrice-blessed Sabina, (daughter) of George (son) of Selamanes, on the 1st of Xanthikos of the 4th indiction, year 541.

Apparatus: 

L.4 μη(νὸς) Ξανθικ(οῦ) Meimaris.

Commentary: 

The date corresponds to 22 March 646, in the 4th indiction.

Salamanes or Salamanos is the Greek transcription of an Arab name.

Given date: 
year
month
day of the month
indiction
Date: 
22 March 646
Summary: 

Dated epitaph of Sabina daughter of George, on a decorated square tombstone found in the narthex, 22 March 646.

Contents
Actions: 
came to rest
Titles/epithets of patrons/dedicators: 
thrice-blessed (trismakarios)
Personal names: 
Georgius, Sabina, Selamanes
Epigraphical Abbreviations: 
diagonal strokes, overhanging eta on mu for μη(νί), consistent ligature ΟΥ, horizontal strokes for numerals