Description: Outcrop of natural rock, on which texts are cut more or less roughly,
in a series of different hands, with dates ranging from 15/16 to 52 CE: M.3, M.4,
M.5, M.6, M.7, M.8,
M.9, M.10, M.11, M.12,
M.13, M.14, M.15, M.16,
M.17, M.18, M.19, M.20,
M.21, M.22, M.23, M.24,
M.25, M.26, and perhaps M.27. They may be described as graffiti
although the surviving example and the photographs show that their production often involved much
more effort than the normal graffito.
Text: Incised on the surface, without a frame. No measurements.
Letters: Lunate sigma, cursive omega, L for ἔτους, bar above the figure.
Date: CE 39-40
Findspot: South of Berenike:
Beside the ancient road from Corniclanum/Ajdabia,
leading south to the oasis of Gialo; recorded in 1923.
Original location: Findspot.
Last recorded location:
Now covered by modern houses.
Commentary
For general introduction see M.3.
Line 2: Fifth: apparently a reference to a military formation: Tod (in SEG) suggested εἴλης but either ϲπείραϲ or χώρτηϲ is perhaps more likely in view of the names of the units known to have been recruited in Apamea.
Bibliography: Ferri, 1926, 22, with a drawing, p.385, whence SEG 9.794.
Text constituted from: From previous publications (Reynolds).
Images
None available (2020).