IRCyr   Inscriptions of Roman Cyrenaica

M.278. Christian acclamations

Description: On the walls, which are plastered, of the main chamber of a rock-cut cistern.
Text: Inscribed or painted. a in the two upper quarters of a cross; b in the upper and lower quarters of a cross; c. in the two upper quarters of a cross; d in a monogram. There are crosses on the walls of the second chamber.
Letters: Not described.

Date: Sixth century CE

Findspot: Gebel Akhdar: East of Cyrene: Gasr Uertig .
Original location: Findspot.
Last recorded location: Findspot.

Interpretive

a
Ἰ(ηϲοῦ)ϲ ((crux)) Χ(ριϲτό)ϲ
b
Ἰ(ηϲοῦ)ϲ ((crux)) Χ(ριϲτό)ϲ
νι((crux))κᾷ
c
Χά((crux))ριϲ Θ(εο)ῦ
d
(Φῶϲ?)

Diplomatic

a
ΙϹ ΧϹ
b
ΙϹ ΧϹ
ΝΙ ΚΑ
c
ΧΑ ΡΙϹΘΥ
d
monogram

English translation

Translation source: Reynolds-Ward-Perkins-Goodchild, 2003

a. Jesus Christ

b. Jesus Christ triumphs

c. The grace of God

d. ? Light

Commentary

For the building see Ward-Perkins et al, loc.cit., 401.

The formulae are of course common; in the present context the grace of God may be particularly associated with provision of water

Bibliography: Illustrated Mohamed, 1992, 53, published Mohamed-Reynolds, 1996, 3, whence Dobias-Lalou, Bulletin Épigraphique, 1997.710, SEG 46.2192; mentioned Mohamed-Reynolds, 2000, 138, summarised, Mohamed-Reynolds, 2000, 5, 1494; Reynolds-Ward-Perkins-Goodchild, 2003, 402.2; discussed Cinalli, 2016, 187, note 18.; mentioned Kenrick, 2013, 318.. For the adjacent small fort see Goodchild, 1953, p.70; Mohamed, 1992, 53
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).

Images

None available (2020).