E07472: Latin graffiti, probably invoking *Alexander (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00127). Found in the cemetery of Saint Alexander on the via Nomentana, Rome. Probably 5th or later. [provisional entry]
online resource
posted on 2019-03-23, 00:00authored bypnowakowski
Graffito A:
On a piece of plaster measuring 14 cm x 27 cm. Letter height 5 cm. Now lost
[Al]exander
Graffito B:
On a piece of plaster, now lost and lacking a precise description. Just possibly identical with ICVR, n.s., VIII, no. 22989 (see $E07476).
... Alex[ander]
Text: ICVR, n.s., VIII, no. 22960 = EDB41550 and EDB41551.
History
Evidence ID
E07472
Saint Name
Alexander, Eventius and Theodolus, bishop, priest and deacon, martyrs of Rome : S00127
Place of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Suburban catacombs and cemeteries
Rome
Rome
Roma
Ῥώμη
Rhōmē
Cult activities - Places
Burial site of a saint - crypt/ crypt with relics
Cult activities - Non Liturgical Practices and Customs
Prayer/supplication/invocation
Source
These pieces of plaster were found in the cemetery of *Alexander, but their find-spots are poorly described. According to C.L. Visconti, the piece with Graffito A was found 'in an oratory' in 1854. Graffito B is reported by Armellini, who also noted the presence of other (unrecorded) invocations.
Discussion
Notably, Alexander is here apparently invoked without his companions, Eventius and Theodolus.
Bibliography
Edition:
Epigraphic Database Bari, no. EDB41550.
see http://www.edb.uniba.it/epigraph/41550
Epigraphic Database Bari, no. EDB41551.
see http://www.edb.uniba.it/epigraph/41551
De Rossi, G.B., Ferrua, A. (eds.) Inscriptiones Christianae Urbis Romae Septimo Saeculo Antiquiores, n.s., vol. 8: Coemeteria viarum Nomentanae et Salariae (Vatican: Pont. Institutum Archaeologiae Christianae, 1983), no. 22960 (with further bibliography).