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E01186: Greek inscription on a marble slab, probably an altar, dedicated to *Michael (the Archangel, S00181). Found at Pythagorio (Samos, the Aegean Islands). Probably late antique or middle Byzantine.

online resource

posted on 2016-03-12, 00:00 authored by pnowakowski

+ Μ[ι]χαήλ, βοήθη Ἰ[ρ]̣ηνέᾳ δεκανήᾳ + [ἵ]ν̣α ̣καὶ τύχῃ πο[λλῶ]ν ἐτῶν

'+ Michael, help Irena, member of a pious guild/dekania (?), + so that she might enjoy many years!'

Text: IG XII 6,2, no. 951.

History

Evidence ID

E01186

Saint Name

Michael, the Archangel : S00181

Saint Name in Source

Μ[ι]χαήλ

Related Saint Records

https://oxford.figshare.com/articles/Michael_the_Archangel/13729612

Type of Evidence

Inscriptions - Inscribed architectural elements Inscriptions - Formal inscriptions (stone, mosaic, etc.)

Language

Greek

Evidence not before

400

Evidence not after

1300

Activity not before

400

Activity not after

1300

Place of Evidence - Region

Aegean islands and Cyprus Aegean islands and Cyprus

Place of Evidence - City, village, etc

Samos Pythagorio

Place of evidence - City name in other Language(s)

Samos Salamis Σαλαμίς Salamis Salamis Farmagusta Far Κωνσταντία Konstantia Constantia Pythagorio Salamis Σαλαμίς Salamis Salamis Farmagusta Far Κωνσταντία Konstantia Constantia

Cult activities - Places

Altar

Cult activities - Non Liturgical Practices and Customs

Prayer/supplication/invocation

Cult Activities - Protagonists in Cult and Narratives

Women

Source

A white marble square plaque/table (an altar?): 'mensa quadrata e marmore albo'. Width and length 0.77 m. Found in the city of Pythagorio. The inscription runs on the margin of the slab. Klaus Hallof, the editor of Inscriptiones Graecae XII 6,2, was unable to see and examine the object himself and he does not specify his source for the description of the stone.

Discussion

The inscription is an invocation of Michael the Archangel. We may be dealing with an altar, dedicated to the Archangel and inscribed with a request for help for the donor. Hallof placed it among 'Byzantine' inscriptions, though an earlier date is also possible (in case of such invocations any reliable dating must be based on an examination of the script).