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E04164: Painted Greek inscriptions (dipinti), one of them invoking the help of *Theodore (presumably the soldier martyr of Amaseia and Euchaita, S00480), accompanied by rough paintings of two saints (probably Theodore, and possibly *George, soldier and martyr, S00259). Found at Avdat/Oboda in the Negev desert (Roman province of Palaestina III), in a rock-cut tomb, converted in Late Antiquity into a dwelling. Probably 6th/7th c.
online resource
posted on 2017-10-17, 00:00 authored by pnowakowskiThe inscriptions and paintings were found in a former Nabataean rock-cut tomb, located on the slope of the acropolis hill, which was converted into a dwelling in the late antique period. The place was dubbed the 'Saints' Cave' by modern explorers, after the images of two saints.
The paintings show two standing male figures en face, with crosses on top of their heads. The upper figure is wearing a cloak and has a belt, probably with a sword attached, below his left arm. In his right hand he is holding a lance or a staff with a cross on top. The lower figure is wearing an ornamented tunic with a belt. In his left hand he is holding a small buckler, in his right hand a spear with a pennant, with which he is piercing a snake with a human face. He is also holding a cord tied around the neck of an animal, probably a horse.
Between the two figures is the small image of a camel-driver with his camel. The animal is carrying a kind of wooden platform on its back. Next to it there is a large cross within a circle, flanked by a cross and probably a christogram. One more man is perhaps depicted next to the horse.
The paintings are accompanied by the following inscriptions:
Inscription 1:
καλῶς ἔκτισεν
ὑγιένω[ν] ἀπόλ[αυε]
ὑγιένω[ν] ἀπόλ[αυε] Feissel in BE (1989), 1013, Ὑγιένω[ν - -] Ἀπολ(- -) Negev, υγιενω .. λπολ .. Alt
'He beautifully built. Enjoy good health!'
Inscription 2:
Κύριε βοήθηθι
ἄφθονα
καὶ ἀβάσ-
καντα τῷ
οἰκῷ σου
'O Lord, help! Free from envy and from harm may your household be!'
Inscription 3:
βοήθεισ-
ο(ν) ὁ φθο-
νῶν λακισθῇ
ὁ φθο|νῶν λακισθῆ̣ Feissel in BE (1990) 956, ἀφθό|νων φ[υ]|λακῆς Negev, Alt
'Help! The envious, may he burst!'
Inscription 4:
βοήθε Οὐάλης Ἰωάνν[ου]
ἅγιος σου Θεό̣δω-
ρως
πίε
ζήσῃς
'O your (sic) saint Theodore, help Ouales son of Ioannes! May you live in wealth!'
Text: SEG 28, 1404, and 37, 1479.
The paintings show two standing male figures en face, with crosses on top of their heads. The upper figure is wearing a cloak and has a belt, probably with a sword attached, below his left arm. In his right hand he is holding a lance or a staff with a cross on top. The lower figure is wearing an ornamented tunic with a belt. In his left hand he is holding a small buckler, in his right hand a spear with a pennant, with which he is piercing a snake with a human face. He is also holding a cord tied around the neck of an animal, probably a horse.
Between the two figures is the small image of a camel-driver with his camel. The animal is carrying a kind of wooden platform on its back. Next to it there is a large cross within a circle, flanked by a cross and probably a christogram. One more man is perhaps depicted next to the horse.
The paintings are accompanied by the following inscriptions:
Inscription 1:
καλῶς ἔκτισεν
ὑγιένω[ν] ἀπόλ[αυε]
ὑγιένω[ν] ἀπόλ[αυε] Feissel in BE (1989), 1013, Ὑγιένω[ν - -] Ἀπολ(- -) Negev, υγιενω .. λπολ .. Alt
'He beautifully built. Enjoy good health!'
Inscription 2:
Κύριε βοήθηθι
ἄφθονα
καὶ ἀβάσ-
καντα τῷ
οἰκῷ σου
'O Lord, help! Free from envy and from harm may your household be!'
Inscription 3:
βοήθεισ-
ο(ν) ὁ φθο-
νῶν λακισθῇ
ὁ φθο|νῶν λακισθῆ̣ Feissel in BE (1990) 956, ἀφθό|νων φ[υ]|λακῆς Negev, Alt
'Help! The envious, may he burst!'
Inscription 4:
βοήθε Οὐάλης Ἰωάνν[ου]
ἅγιος σου Θεό̣δω-
ρως
πίε
ζήσῃς
'O your (sic) saint Theodore, help Ouales son of Ioannes! May you live in wealth!'
Text: SEG 28, 1404, and 37, 1479.
History
Evidence ID
E04164Saint Name
Theodore, soldier and martyr of Amaseia and Euchaita : S00480Saint Name in Source
ΘεοόδωρωςRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Inscriptions - Graffiti Images and objects - Wall paintings and mosaicsLanguage
GreekEvidence not before
500Evidence not after
700Activity not before
500Activity not after
700Place of Evidence - Region
Palestine with SinaiPlace of Evidence - City, village, etc
Avdat/ObodaPlace of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Avdat/Oboda Caesarea Maritima Καισάρεια Kaisareia Caesarea Kayseri Turris StratonisCult activities - Non Liturgical Practices and Customs
Prayer/supplication/invocationCult activities - Use of Images
- Private ownership of an image