V 222. Eski-Kermen.Invocation of an unknown, XI–XIIIth centuries C.E.
Monument
Type
Stele.
Material
Limestone.
Dimensions (cm)
Unknown.
Additional description
On the front, a zigzag ornamental band runs horizontally across the lower half. Broken at the bottom.
Place of Origin
Eski-Kermen.
Find place
Eski-Kermen.
Find context
Basilica, south apse, exterior.
Find circumstances
1930, excavations of F.I. Schmit.
Modern location
Unknown.
Institution and inventory
Unknown.
Autopsy
Non vidi.
Epigraphic field
Position
On the front.
Lettering
Graffito.
Letterheights (cm)
1.0–1.5.
Text
Category
Invocative inscription.
Date
XI–XIIIth centuries C.E.
Dating criteria
Palaeography.
Editions
L1. Vinogradov2004, 123–130.
<div type="edition" xml:lang="grc">
<ab>
<lb n="1"/><roleName><expan><abbr>Κ</abbr><ex>ύρι</ex><abbr>ε</abbr></expan></roleName>, β<supplied reason="lost">οήθει</supplied> <supplied reason="lost">τὸν</supplied>
<lb n="2"/>δοῦλό<supplied reason="lost">ν</supplied> <supplied reason="lost">σου</supplied> <supplied reason="lost">τὸν</supplied> <supplied reason="lost">δεῖνα</supplied>.
</ab>
</div>Translation
Lord, help your servant...
Commentary
The photograph published here is preserved at the Photo Archive, Institute for History of Material Culture, Russian Academy of Sciences (О.27.44; II–2445). The archival information about the inscription can be found at the Manuscript Archive, Institute for History of Material Culture, Russian Academy of Sciences Д. 127. Л. 168 об. (Diary of excavations at Eski-Kermen Л. 156–204; the information was kindly provided to us by S.V. Kharitonov).
This is a typical graffito on a church wall, the practice known in the Middle Ages from countless examples. The apse wall, and in particular its south side, was the favourite location for such graffiti (cf. the church in Kudrino). The formula used in this text was also extremely popular (see Introduction IV.3.E.a).
Images
© 2015 Andrey
Vinogradov (edition), Irene Polinskaya (translation)
You may download this inscription in EpiDoc XML. (This file should validate to theEpiDoc schema.)