E00561: Greek epigram by Agathias Scholastikos, originally inscribed on the image, commemorating the dedication of an image to *Michael (the Archangel, S00181) by the high-ranking official Theodoros, thanking the saint for his promotions to magister and proconsul of Asia; set up in the narthex of the basilica of *John (the Apostle and Evangelist, S00042) at Ephesos (western Asia Minor). Written in the late 6th c. and recorded in the 10th c. Greek Anthology.

Greek Anthology, Book 1 (Christian Epigrams), 36

ΑΓΑΘΙΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΑΣΤΙΚΟΥ

εἰς εἰκόνα Θεοδώρου Ἰλλουστρίου καὶ δὶς ἀνθυπάτου, ἐν ᾗ γέγραπται παρὰ τοῦ ἀρχαγγέλου δεχόμενος τὰς ἀξίας· ἐν Ἐφέσῳ

ταῦτα ἐν Ἐφέσῳ γέγραπται ἐν τῷ νάρθηκι τοῦ Θεολόγου

Ἵλαθι μορφωθείς, ἀρχάγγελε· σὴ γὰρ ὀπωπὴ
ἄσκοπος, ἀλλὰ βροτῶν δῶρα πέλουσι τάδε.
ἐκ σέο γὰρ Θεόδωρος ἔχει ζωστῆρα μαγίστρου
καὶ δὶς ἀεθλεύει πρὸς θρόνον ἀνθυπάτων.
τῆς δ᾽ εὐγνωμοσύνης μάρτυς γραφίς· ὑμετέρην γὰρ
χρώμασι μιμηλὴν ἀντετύπωσε χάριν.

2. δῶμα I. Ephesos


'Agathias Scholastikos

On an image of Theodōros, man of illustris rank, twice proconsul, in which he is depicted receiving the insignia of his office from the archangel; in Ephesus

This is written in the narthex of the church of the Theologian [i.e. John the Evangelist]

Be merciful, archangel, for having been given an image! Indeed your face is invisible, but such are the gifts of mortals. For it is thanks to you that Theodōros has a magister’s girdle, and is honoured with the proconsul’s throne for a second term. This picture is witness of his gratitude, for it faithfully depicted your grace toward him in colours.'


Text and translation: Paton and Tueller 2014; translation adapted.