IRCyr   Inscriptions of Roman Cyrenaica

M.177. Sacred law

Description: Two fragments of the right side and upper edge of a panel: a: w: 0.45 x h: 0.33; b: w: 0.14 x h: 0.13 x d: 0.06
Text: Inscribed on one face; b a small fragment adjoining a at the left side.
Letters: Probably third century CE: 0.055. Tall, clearly cut, regular; lunate sigma, epsilon, cursive omega

Date: Second-third century CE

Findspot: Gebel Akhdar: West of Cyrene: Balagrae, in the Asklepeion; a: photographed 23 March 1917; b found in 1957.
Original location: Unknown
Last recorded location: Cyrene Museum

Interpretive

[---]Ν πρὸϲ τὸ ἱερὸν ἀπαντῶ-
[ντες ---] ἐ̣πιβαίνειν ὀφείλοντεϲ
[--- ἁγνιϲμὸν καὶ? καθαρμὸ]ν ποιεῖϲθαι ἐπὶ ἡμέρα{ι}ϲ τρεῖϲ·
[οἱ δὲ ἁγνείαϲ ἀμελήϲαντες τῆς? ἀ]παλλαγῆϲ τῶν πόνων ἀπέ-
5[τυχον? ---]

Diplomatic

[---]ΝΠΡΟϹΤΟΙΕΡΟΝΑΠΑΝΤΩ
[....---].ΠΙΒΑΙΝΕΙΝΟΦΕΙΛΟΝΤΕϹ
[---..................]ΝΠΟΙΕΙϹΘΑΙΕΠΙΗΜΕΡΑΙϹΤΡΕΙϹ
[..........................]ΠΑΛΛΑΓΗϹΤΩΝΠΟΝΩΝΑΠΕ
5[.....---]

English translation

Translation by: Charlotte Roueché

. . . ] towards the sanctuary [ . . . ] to access, owing [ . . . ] to carry out [?purification and cleansing] for three days [?those who disregard purity failed to obtain ] release from troubles [ . . .

Commentary

The new fragment only adds 3 letters to the first line, and confirms one in the second.

Ferri suggested a third century date; Woodhead, SEG 20, third to fourth century.

The supplements are highly speculative.

Bibliography: a: Mentioned, citing the last two lines, by Ferri, 1927a, 125-6; published, Ferri, 1927, 244-6 with a photograph, whence Roussel, Bulletin Épigraphique, 1928, p. 387, Oliverio, DAI, 1933-1936, 80 note 6, SEG 9.347, PHI 324196; the reissue of the article mentioned Robert, Bulletin Épigraphique, 1965.467. Revised by Sokolowski, 1962, 118, whence SEG 20.759, PHI 324515; mentioned Kenrick, 2013, 118. b: Unpublished.
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).

Images

   Fig. 1. a: face (Department of Antiquities, E.720)

   Fig. 2. b: face (Reynolds IX.3)