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E07483: Latin inscription commemorating *Maxima, Donatilla, Secunda (virgins and martyrs of Thuburbo, 01812), and *Stephen the First Martyr. Testour (Africa Proconsularis, North Africa), 6th/7th c.

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posted on 2019-03-25, 00:00 authored by sadamiak
Santas tres,
Maxima
et Donatilla,
Secunda
bona puella.
Stefanus

'Saint three: Maxima, and Donatilla, Secunda, good girl. Stephen'

Text: Y. Duval, following Cagnat and Monceaux. Translation: Stanisław Adamiak

History

Evidence ID

E07483

Saint Name

Maxima, Donatilla and Secunda (virgins and martyrs of Thuburbo, ob c. 304) : S01812 Stephen, the First Martyr : S00030

Saint Name in Source

Maxima; Secunda; Donatilla Stefanus

Related Saint Records

Type of Evidence

Inscriptions - Graffiti

Language

  • Latin

Evidence not before

550

Evidence not after

698

Activity not before

550

Activity not after

698

Place of Evidence - Region

Latin North Africa

Place of Evidence - City, village, etc

Testour

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

Testour Carthage Carthago Karthago قرطاج‎ Qarṭāj Mçidfa Carthage

Cult Activities - Cult Related Objects

Inscription

Source

The big limestone table, 70 x 75 cm, was found in 1889 in the pavement of the great mosque of Testour. The letters are irregular, between 7 and 9,5 cm. The style of writing indicates the date of the inscription as the end of the 6th or the 7th century. Currently in the Museum of Tunis.

Discussion

The inscription follows exactly the Latin account of the martyrdom of the virgins of Thuburbo (E07491) in putting together Maxima and Donatilla, and distinguishing "the good girl Secunda", who joined them voluntarily. It is unclear whether the "Stephanus" in the last line is a reference to Stephen the First Martyr, or, less probably, the name of the donor of the inscription.

Bibliography

Duval, Y., Loca sanctorum Africae: Le culte des martyrs en Afrique du IVe au VIIe siècle (Rome: École Française de Rome, 1982), vol. 1, 32–34, no. 15.

Usage metrics

    Evidence - The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity

    Categories

    Keywords

    S01812S00030History

    Licence

    CC0

    Exports

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