Jerusalem (Mount of Olives) - Cave of Gethsemane

Church/Monastery name: 
Jerusalem (Mount of Olives) - Cave of Gethsemane
Inscription number: 
1
Selected bibliography: 
21, figs. 15-16 (phs.) (ed. pr.)
III, 248-251
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Epigraphical corpora: 

CIIP I.2 (2012): 902 (phs.)

Inscription type: 
epitaph
invocation/prayer
Location: 

Findspot: In front of the entrance to the cave of Gethsemane, covering two tombs (nos. 58 and 52 in Corbo, Ricerche pl. I), to the right of the descending steps of the modern entrance, bounded on the north side by a water channel of the Roman period (nos. 63 and 64 in Corbo pl. I).

Pres. loc.: In situ.

Physical description : 

The mosaic is made of small tesserae and adorned with florets in blue and red on a white background. It encloses an inscribed panel of which only the upper left corner remains, with the beginning of the first line and two letters at the beginning of the second. The letters are traced in red tesserae. Lunate sigma.

Meas.: h 15, w 75 (max., frame), l.1: 54 cm (max.); letters 6-7 cm.

Text: 

Κ(ύρι)ε ἀνάπαυσ[ον - - ]

ΝΑ[ - - ]

Translation: 

Lord, give rest …

Commentary: 

The mosaic pavement covering the two tombs above the crypt cannot be earlier than the 5th cent.

Date: 
not earlier than 5th cent.
Summary: 

Fragmentary mosaic inscription with an invocation of the Lord, covering two tombs at the entrance to the cave.

Contents
Epigraphical formulae: 
Lord/Christ, grant repose...
Epigraphical Abbreviations: 
horizontal stroke over nomen sacrum