Description of Monument

Seven columns (i, 0.54 diam.; others all 0.29-0.30 diam.) of blue marble, mostly broken at both ends. All showed traces of white plaster, apparently applied to form a panel.

Description of Text

Painted in red on the plaster within a painted square. As in 75 and 78, there seem to be several layers of plaster and of script. Decipherment is made more difficult by the condition of the surface after re-use in the wall. On only three of the columns could anything of substance be discerned: the readings are fragmentary and unsatisfactory.

Description of Letters

See text below.

Date

Fifth/sixth century (terminology).

Edition A complete column (dia. 0.54, H. 2.14). On the lowest discernible level of plaster, there are traces of letters and a cross. The second level (letters 0.03) ηλιασνι μεγαλοπρεπεστατ- ωντικ πολλὰ τὰ ἔτηThe uppermost layer (letters 0.04) ωνη λουν ο ιαυιο ω A column broken at both ends (diam. 0.305, H. 1.42). Letters: 0.045-0.05 The lowest level πολλὰ τὰ ἔτη The second level δο χο The uppermost level λο α ο A column broken at both ends (diam. 0.31, H. 1.26). Letters 0.045-0.05 The lowest level μ οψ ο ε The second, upper level ιοι σε οινινδ ὁ θεὸς καλο͂ς σε ἤνηγκεν πολλὰ τὰ ἔτη

Translation For translations of the recognizable phrases, see commentary.

Commentary

See discussion at V.58 and, on acclamations, V.54.

Found

Tetrastoon: reused in the Byzantine defence wall built across the east side of the Theatre, in the stretch blocking the north parodos. See Plan 6

Original Location

There is no indication of original provenance; but we know that materials for this wall were brought from as far away as the Sebasteion complex.

Last Recorded Location

On site.

History of Recording

Excavated during dismantling of the defence wall in 1976.

Bibliography

Published by Roueché, no. 77, whence 815-821.

Text Constituted From

Transcription (Roueché).

Photographs

i. (1976)

i. (1976)

i. (1976)

Fragments (1976)

ii. (1976)

iii. (1976)

Category of Text

acclamation

Category of Monument

column