E00489: The Piacenza Pilgrim describes the basilica at Mamre, with the tombs of the Old Testament Patriarchs *Abraham (S00275), *Isaac (S00276), *Jacob (S00280) and *Joseph (S00277), and of Abraham's wife Sarah (S00278), which is frequented by both Jews and Christians; he also mentions the feast of the deposition of *Jacob and of *David (king of Israel and psalmist, S00269), celebrated on the day after Christmas by large numbers of Jews. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 570.

Pilgrim of Piacenza, Itinerarium 30

First recension
De Bethlem autem usque ad ilicem Mambre sunt milia xxiv, in quo loco iacent Abraham et Isaac et Iacob et Sarra, sed et ossa Ioseph, basilica aedificata in quadriporticus, in medio atrio discopertus, per medio discurrit cancellus et ex uno latere intrant christiani et ex alio latere Iudaei, incensa facientes multa. Nam et depositio Iacob et Dauid in terra illa alio die de natale Domini deuotissime celebratur, ita ut ex omni terra illa Iudaei conueniant, innumerabilis multitudo, et incensa offerentes multa uel luminaria et munera dantes ad seruientes ibidem.

'From Bethlehem it is twenty-four miles to the Oak of Mamre, the resting-place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah, and also Joseph's bones. The basilica has four porticoes and no roof over the central court. Down the middle runs a screen. Christians come in on one side and Jews on the other, and they use much incense. The Deposition of Jacob and David are celebrated in this area, on the day after Christ's Birthday, with much devotion, and Jews from all over the country congregate for this, too great a crowd to count. They offer much incense and lights, and give presents to those who minister there.'


Second recension
De Bethleem usque ad ilicem mambres milia xxiiii. In quo loco requiescunt Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, et Sarra, simul et Ioseph ossa. Est basilica in quadriporticus, atrium in medio discoopertum et per medio cancellum; ex uno latere intrant christiani, ex alio uero Iudaei, incensa facientes multa. Nam depositio Iacob et Dauid in terra illa die primo post natale Domini deuotissime ab omnibus celebratur, ita ut ex omni terra Iudaeorum conueniat innumerabilis multitudo, incensa ferentes uel luminaria et dantes numera ac seruientes ibidem.

'From Bethlehem it is twenty-four miles to the Oak of Mamre, the resting-place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah, and also Joseph's bones. The basilica had four porticoes and no roof over the central court. Down the middle runs a screen. Christians come in on one side and Jews on the other, and they use much incense. On the day following Christ's Birthday the Deposition of Jacob and David is celebrated in this area by everybody with much devotion, and Jews from all over the country congregate for this, too great a crowd to count. They offer much incense and lights, and give presents to those who minister there.'


Text: Geyer 1898, 178 and 209. Translation: Wilkinson 2002, 143, lightly modified.