Ross S. Kraemer
University of Pennsylvania
Fall 1995
Sampler of Inscriptions Documenting Jews and
Judaism in the Greco-Roman Diaspora
CIJ 725 from Rheneia (an island off Delos), dated
to the second to first centuries BCE; translation from
van der Horst, Ancient Jewish Epitaphs
149.
I call upon and pray to God the Most High, the Lord of
the spirits and of all flesh, against those who have
teacherously murdered or poisoned the poor Heraclea,
who died untimely, and who have unjustly shed her
innocent blood; may the same happen to them who have
murdered or poisoned her and to their children, Lord,
you who see everything, and you, angels of God, for
Whom every soul humiliates itself on this day with
supplications, (hoping) that you revenge her innocent
blood and settle your account with them as soon as
possible.
BS II 183. Beth She'arim, second half of the third
century CE. Translation from van der Horst,
Ancient Jewish Epitaphs 153.
This tomb contains the dwindling remains of Karteria,
preserving forever the illustrious memory of a noble
woman.
Zenobia brought her here for burial, fulfilling thus
her mother's request.
For you, most blessed of women, your offspring,
whom you bore from your gentle womb, your pious
daughter
--for she always does actions praiseworthy in the eyes
of mortals --
built this monument, so that even after the end of
life's term
both of you may enjoy again new and indestructible
riches.
CIJ 523. Latin inscription carved on a
sarcophagus, no longer extant. Believed to come from a
Jewish catacomb in Rome. Date unknown.
Translation from Leon, The Jews of Ancient
Rome, 341.
Veturia Paulla F (?), consigned to her eternal home,
who lived 86 years, 6 months, a proselyte of 16 years,
named Sara, Mother of the Synagogues of Campus and
Volumnius. in peace her sleep.
CIJ 741. Marble plaque from Smyrna (modern Izmir,
Turkey). Greek. Probably second century C.E.
Rufina, Ioudaia [Jewish woman/Jewess], head of the
synagogue, built this tomb for her freed slaves and the
slaved raised in her house. No one else has the right
to bury anyone (here). Anyone who dares to do so will
pay 1500 denaria to the sacred treasury and 1000
denaria to the Jewish people. A copy of this
inscription has been placed in the (public) archives.
CIJ 738. A Greek inscription from Ionia in Asia
Minor (Turkey), probably third century C.E.
Translation Kraemer, Maenads, Martyrs, Matrons,
Monastics: A Sourcebook on Women's Religions in the
Greco-Roman World 60.
Tation, daughter of Straton, son of Empedon, having
erected the assembly hall and the enclosure of the open
courtyard with her own funds, have them as a gift to
the Jews. The synagogue of the Jews honored Tation,
daughter of Straton, son of Empedon, with a golden
crown, and the privilege of sitting in the seat of
honor.
CIJ/CPJ 1509 Burial EPITAPH OF HORAIA, WHOSE
HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER DIED ONLY DAYS BEFORE HER. Egypt,
1st century B.C.E..
This is the tomb of Horaia, wayfarer. Shed a tear. The
daughter of Nikolaos, who was unfortunate in all things
in her thirty years. Three of us are here, husband,
daughter, and I whom they struck down with grief.
(My husband died) on the 3rd, then on the 5th my
daughter Eirene, to whom marriage was not granted. I
then with no place or joy was laid here after them
under the earth on the 7th of Choiak. But stranger, you
have dearly all there is to know from us to tell all
men of the swiftness of death. In the 10th year, Choiak
7.
CIJ/CPJ 1510. EPITAPH OF A JEWISH WOMAN PROM EGYPT
WHO DIED IN CHILDBIRTH. Egypt, 1st century B.C.E
This is the grave of Arsinoe, wayfarer. Stand by and
weep for her, unfortunate in all things, whose lot was
hard and terrible. For I was bereaved of my mother when
I was a little girl, and when the flower of my youth
made me ready for a bridegroom, my father married me to
Phabeis, and Fate brought me to the end of my life in
bearing my firstborn child. I had a small span of
years, but great grace flowered in the beauty of my
spirit. This grave hides in its bosom my dhaste body,
but my soul has flown to the holy ones. Lament for
Arsinoe. In the 25th year, Mechir 2.
CIJ/CPJ 1513.EPITAPH OF A JEWISH WOMAN FROM EGYPT.
Egypt, 1st century B.C.B.
Citizens and strangers, all weep for Rachelis, chaste,
friend of all, about thirty years old. Do not weep
vainly empty (tears?) for me. If I did live but a short
allotted span, nevertheless I await a good hope of
mercy. And Agathokles, about 38 years old.
CIJ/CPJ 1530. EPITAPH OF A JEWISH WOMAN "FROM THE
LAND OF ONIAS" IN EGYPT. Egypt, 1st century
B.C.E.
The speaking stele
"Who are you who lie in the dark tomb? Tell me your
country and birth."
"Arsinoe, daughter of Aline and Theodosios. The famous
land of Onias reared me."
"How old were you when you slipped down the dark slope
of Lathe?"
"At twenty I went to the sad place of the dead."
"Were you married?"
"I was."
"Did you leave him a child?"
"Childless I went to the house of Hades."
"May earth, the guardian of the dead, be light on you."
"And for you, stranger, may she bear fruitful crops."
In the 16th year, Payni 21.
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