E02829: Two inscribed clay discs (eulogiae) from the sanctuary of the Refuge (kataphyge) of *Elisabeth (mother of John the Baptist, S01328) at 'Ein Kerem (near Jerusalem). One found in Jerusalem, near the Temple Mount, and the other preserved in the collection of Bobbio (Italy). Probably 6th or 7th c.

Disc 1 (Jerusalem):

Upper fragment of a brown clay disc. About one third of the circumference is preserved. Original diameter: c. 0.08 m. The centre was apparently decorated with a scene showing a tower or staircase with a cross on top. The outer band bears an inscription which was plausibly restored based on the text from Disc 2 (below). Letter height 0.005-0.006 m.

Found in Area XV, to the south of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, in a room near the courtyard of the 'Monastery of the Virgins' (Locus 15019). Now at the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. First published by Leah Di Segni in 2003, and republished by her in 2012 in the Corpus Inscriptionum Iudaeae/Palaestinae.

Inscription:

[+ εὐλ]ογία Κ(υρίο)υ ἀπὸ τῆς κατα[φυγῆς τῆς ἁγ(ίας) Ἐλισαβέθ]

'[+] A blessing of the Lord from the Refuge [of Saint Elisabeth.]'

Text: CIIP 1/2, no. App. 39*. Translation: L. Di Segni.

Disc 2 (Bobbio):

An almost completely preserved clay disc. The centre of the disc shows a running woman with nimbus (Elisabeth) holding a child (John the Baptist). They seek shelter from an armed soldier. An angel floats above them and points to a rock with a rod; next to the soldier is an unidentified plant.

In the collection of eulogiae of the abbey of Bobbio (northern Italy). First published by Bellarmino Bagatti in 1947 (?). In 1958 discussed anew by André Grabar in his work on the ampullae from Monza and Bobbio.

Inscription:

+ εὐλογία Κ(υρίο)υ ἀπὸ τῆς κατα[φυγῆς τῆς] ἁγ(ία)ς Ἐλισαβέθ

'[+] A blessing of the Lord from the Refuge [of Saint Elisabeth.]'

Text: Grabar 1958, 44.