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. Latyshev1908, 32–33, № 28.
<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
© 2015 Andrey Vinogradov (edition), Irene Polinskaya (translation)
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