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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, 00:00 authored by pnowakowski

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

Saint Name in Source

Alexander

Related Saint Records

https://oxford.figshare.com/articles/Alexander_Eventius_and_Theodolus_bishop_priest_and_deacon_martyrs_of_Rome/13729462

Type of Evidence

Inscriptions - Graffiti

Language

Latin

Evidence not before

400

Evidence not after

1000

Activity not before

400

Activity not after

1000

Place of Evidence - Region

Rome and region

Place of Evidence - City, village, etc

Suburban catacombs and cemeteries

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).