V 186. Theodoro.Invocation of Constantine, IХ–XIth centuries C.E.
Monument
Type
Circular stele.
Material
Limestone.
Dimensions (cm)
H.29.0, W.30.5, Th.9.3.
Additional description
Relief border (H. 0.5cm) runs the perimeter; a relief cross with flaring arms and with a circle in the centre occupy the inset central area of the stele.
Place of Origin
Theodoro.
Find place
Mangup.
Find context
Basilica at the foot of the plateau, altar, central window, filled in with reused material.
Find circumstances
1984, excavations of V.A. Sidorenko.
Modern location
Simferopol, Crimea.
Institution and inventory
Central Museum of Tavrida, 14630.
Autopsy
Non vidi.
Epigraphic field 1
Position
At tips of arms of the cross.
Lettering
Lapidary.
Letterheights (cm)
0.7–1.2.
Text 1
Category
Invocative inscription.
Date
IХ–XIth centuries C.E.
Dating criteria
Palaeography.
Editions
L1. Sidorenko2010, № 19.
<div type="textpart" subtype="inscription" n="1">
<ab>
<lb n="1"/>Φῶς,
<lb n="2"/>Ζωή.
</ab>
</div>Translation
Light, life.
Commentary
The description, line drawing and a partial rubbing were kindly given to the author by Т.А. Matantseva.
Originally, Text 1 with a typical formula "Life, light" was inscribed on the tips of the arms of the cross (on the formula, see Introduction IV.3.C.b). Subsequently, over the letters of Text 1, a second inscription was cut, with the formula "Jesus is victorious (see Introduction IV.3.C.e), and it appears that the cutter forgot to carve a chi on the bottom arm of the cross. Either at the same time, or later, the cutter also started to carve Text 3: starting from the top part of the border, he then moved into the top right corner, but then interrupted the text, which contains the beginning of a opisthambonos prayer «Save, oh Lord, Thine people» (attested in IGLS 1508). Finally, in the top left corner, the cutter placed an invocative Text 4, arranging the lines vertically to be read from bottom up. The first editor did not read Texts 2-3 and mistakenly attributed the last line of Text 3 to the continuation of Text 4.
On the formula of Text 4, see Introduction IV.3.E.a. The name Constantine is elsewhere attested in Mountainous Crimea at Inkerman (V 150): the epithet "sinner" used with a name can be compared with V 47, V 183, V 236.5, V 325.
The stone was apparently meant for insertion into a wall. The first editor dates the inscription, as well as basilica as a whole, to the 2nd half of the VIth century, but its palaeographic features clearly indicate the Middle Byzantine period.
Images
Epigraphic field 2
Position
At the tips of the arms of the cross, over the letters of Text 1.
Lettering
Lapidary.
Letterheights (cm)
0.7–1.2.
Text 2
Category
Invocative inscription.
Date
IХ–XIth centuries C.E.
Dating criteria
Palaeography.
Editions
Unpublished.
<div type="textpart" subtype="inscription" n="2">
<ab>
<lb n="1"/><expan><abbr>Ἰ</abbr><ex>ησοῦ</ex><abbr>ς</abbr></expan>
<lb n="2"/>νικᾷ.
</ab>
</div>Translation
Jesus is victorious.
Commentary
See commentary on Text 1.
Epigraphic field 3
Position
On the top part of the border (one line) and in the right top corner (one line).
Lettering
Lapidary.
Letterheights (cm)
0.7–1.2.
Text 3
Category
Date
IХ–XIth centuries C.E.
Dating criteria
Palaeography.
Editions
L1. Sidorenko2010, № 19.
<div type="textpart" subtype="inscription" n="3">
<ab>
<lb n="1"/><supplied reason="lost">Σῶσον</supplied> <supplied reason="lost">τὸν</supplied> λαών σου,
<lb n="2"/>καὶ τόν.
</ab>
</div>Translation
Save Thine people and the.
Commentary
See commentary on Text 1.
Epigraphic field 4
Position
In the top left corner (lines of text reads vertically from the bottom up).
Lettering
Lapidary. Slightly elongated letters, with pointy semicircles. Large beta, mu with sagging cross-loop.
Letterheights (cm)
0.7–1.2.
Text 4
Category
Date
IХ–XIth centuries C.E.
Dating criteria
Palaeography.
Editions
Unpublished.
<div type="textpart" subtype="inscription" n="4">
<ab>
<lb n="1"/><roleName><expan><abbr>Κ</abbr><ex>ύρι</ex><abbr>ε</abbr></expan></roleName>, βοήθη
<lb n="2"/>τὸν δοῦλόν σου
<lb n="3"/>Κ<supplied reason="lost">ων</supplied>σταν
<lb n="4" break="no"/>τῆνον ἁμα
<lb n="5" break="no"/>ρτολόν.
</ab>
</div>Translation
Oh Lord, save your servant Constantine, a sinner.
Commentary
See commentary on Text 1.
© 2015 Andrey Vinogradov (edition), Irene Polinskaya (translation)
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