V 36. Cherson. Demonstrative inscription, IX–Xth centuries C.E.

Monument

Type

Stele. 

Material

Inkerman limestone. 

Dimensions (cm)

H. 29.0, W. 25.0, Th. 11.0.

Additional description

Circular stele resting on a support with a dowel underneath. On the front is an inset circular panel with relief cross with flaring arms. The right half of the support is broken off. The edges are chipped. 

Place of Origin

Cherson. 

Find place

Sevastopol (Chersonesos). 

Find context

Square by the cathedral of St. Vladimir, southern part. 

Find circumstances

1904, spudding of a garden. 

Modern location

Saint Petersburg, Russia. 

Institution and inventory

The State Museum of the History of Religion, 3493. 

Autopsy

November 2004. 

Epigraphic field

Position

In corners between the arms of the cross. 

Lettering

Lapidary. Sigma and omega with pointy loops; phi with elongated vertical. 

Letterheights (cm)

1.7–5.5.

Text

Category

Demonstrative. 

Date

IX–Xth centuries C.E. 

Dating criteria

Palaeography. 

Editions

L1. Latyshev 1908, 32–33, № 28. 

Edition

Φῶς,
ζωή.

Diplomatic

ΦΩΣ
ΖΩΗ

EpiDoc (XML)

<div type="edition" xml:lang="grc">
   <ab>
      <lb n="1"/>Φῶς,
      <lb n="2"/>ζωή.
   </ab>
   </div> 

Translation

Light, life.

 

Commentary

For the formula, see IV.3.C.b. With respect to the position of letters vis-a-vis the cross, a close parallel to our monument is Grégoire 1929, № 265 (Aphrodisiás in Caria).

As far as the shape of the monument is concerned, the closest analogy is V 45. Judging by the dowel at the bottom, the stele served as a finial. It is impossible to say anything more concrete about its use. The opinion of Sorochan (2005, 1053) about its funerary character finds no support.

 

Images

(cc) © 2015 Andrey Vinogradov (edition), Irene Polinskaya (translation)
You may download this inscription in EpiDoc XML. (This file should validate to the EpiDoc schema.)