140, no. 13, pl. XXXI.2 (ph.) (ed. pr.) | |
281, no. 451 | |
786, no. 304, fig. 354 (ph.) |
Findspot: Engraved on a limestone slab, covering a grave in the floor of the northern aisle.
Pres. location: IAA, Inv. no. 36.1375.
A limestone slab, 118x21 cm, covered a grave in the floor of the northern aisle. The epitaph is inscribed lengthwise, across the stem of a large cross cut in the centre of the stone. The script alternates square letters and drop-shaped omicron and theta; the delta of ἰνδ(ικτιῶνος) is cursive, abbreviated with a diagonal stroke. Stigma is also used as an abbreviation sign; the numerals are marked with horizontal lines. The text begins and ends with a cross.
☩ Ἀναπάει ὁ μακάριος Στέφανος
Ὀβάθου ἐμην(ὶ) Δίου ε´ ἰνδ(ικτιῶνος) θ´
ἔτους φ´. ☩
Came to rest the blessed Stephen son of Obathos in the month of Dios, the 5th, of indiction 9, year 500.
L.2: ἐ(ν) μην(ί) Kirk–Welles, followed by Meimaris, but the assimilation ἐμμηνί / ἐμηνί is common in inscriptions from Nessana and Rehovot.
Dated epitaph of Stephen son of Obathus on a limestone slab, found in the floor over a grave in the northern aisle, 22 Oct. 605.
The date, reckoned by the Arabian era, corresponds to 22 October 605, in the 9th indiction. Ὀβαθος is a Nabataean name.