Description: Mosaic. a. Rectangular panel
(w:
1.01 x h:
2.06) containing a female orans in a pillared niche. b. Rectangular panel containing a female orans in a pillared niche.
Text: Mosaic lettering within two panels which flank the entrance to the Bema. a is inscribed on either side of the head of the
orans. b is inscribed
above the head of the orans.
Letters: a. Average 0.085; lunate sigma. b. Average 0.085; square sigma.
Date: Sixth century CE
Findspot:
Gebel Akhdar: East of Cyrene:
Ras al-Hilal, Church,
from the nave;
excavated in 1961.
Original location: Unknown
Last recorded location:
Apollonia Museum.
English translation
Translation source: Reynolds-Ward-Perkins-Goodchild, 2003
(a): Foundation.
(b): Adornment
Commentary
For the building, probably of the sixth century, see Ward-Perkins, op. cit, 326-341
The texts are paralleled in the mosaic of CE 534 at Gsar Lebia (M.134). The spelling errors here, if nothing else, might suggest a date rather late in the sixth century
Bibliography: Harrison, 1962 436f., figs 8,9, whence SEG 20.711 PHI 324474; Reynolds, 1964, B and pl. IX, X, whence Robert, Bulletin Épigraphique, 1965.470; Reynolds, 1980, 150, with plates. whence SEG 30.1786, PHI 324534; Reynolds-Ward-Perkins-Goodchild, 2003, 338.2ab.
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).
Images
Fig. 1. Mosaic of the orans and text a
Fig. 2. Mosaic of the orans and text b