Chapter 6 The Southern Quarries

In: Greek Inscriptions on the East Bank
Authors:
Maria Nilsson
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Adrienn Almásy-Martin
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John Ward
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Open Access

1 Introduction

The southern part of the East bank contains 18 quarries (GeSE.Q35–52), which date to both the Dynastic and Roman periods. Three of these, Q35, 37, and 40, preserve Greek graffiti (Fig. 35). Among the 24 texts that were recorded, 14 represent signatures, seven are proskynemata, and three are illegible, but placed within an offering table. The Greek texts mention 37 individuals, including 21 dedicators, 15 patronyms and 1 son. Ten texts contain a date (Augustus: nos 187, 190; Tiberius: nos 183, 187 (listed in the demotic part); Claudius: nos 170, 172–173, 175–178), and five mention Isis as the main goddess (nos 172, 177–178, 187, 190). The texts in Q35 are well preserved and are more elaborate in grammar, style and content. Several texts in Q37 are poorly preserved due to later eradication or superimposition. The single text in Q40 is well preserved, although shallowly etched.

d333733425e45535

Figure 35

Overview of the southern quarries, marked with the Greek texts (nos. 170–193)

Courtesy of Google Earth

2 Quarry 35 (Q35—‘the Situla Quarry’)

Q35 is a small, open quarry located some 35 m south of the main quarry, and sits secluded in the mountain approximately 250 m east of the Nile. It can be reached either via the plateau, past a series of workmen’s huts, or through a small wadi that shoots off from the main pathway along the Nile. There are eight quarry faces (A–H), including a short corridor-like entry, and its maximum length and width measure 35 × 25 m (Fig. 36).

d333733425e45558

Figure 36

Topographic plan of Q35 marked with its sections (A–H), quarry marks, and Greek inscriptions (nos. 170–178)

Line drawing by Maria Nilsson

The tool marks on the quarry faces follow a diagonal, parallel pattern, and the blocks are generally 60 cm long × 120–240 cm wide, and 90 cm deep. A maximum of fourteen horizontal extraction levels were estimated below the brittle top layers, providing approximately 100 blocks per vertical quarry face consequently (based on the general block size of 60 × 240 cm for quarry face Q35.D, and incorporating the separating trench space of 10 cm between each block). The volume of produced blocks for the quarry’s square core (encompassing quarry faces C–F) can be estimated at c. 3300 m3, and just over 7500 tonnes of sandstone. Traces of the extraction work also include wedge marks and rope holes. Archaeologically the quarry is more or less empty with the exception of some pottery sherds and an inscribed stone fragment that was displaced from its original position on the eastern quarry face. All eight quarry faces bear ancient graffiti, predominately quarry marks.

In addition to 133 pictographic quarry marks, the quarry contains eight demotic and nine Greek inscriptions. Many of these have been marked or retraced with chalk, but only a few were published by Spiegelberg and Preisigke.1 The Greek inscriptions are located on the western (C) and eastern (E) quarry faces, to which an inscribed stone fragment could be added (paired with no. 175a). Five are Proskynema-texts, and the others signatures. They were written by four men (Ἁρβέσχινις Πετεφίβιος; Ἁρβέσχινις Πακοίβιος; Πάκοιβις Παουήριος; Πετέμινις Πετεμίνιος) on at least three separate occasions between AD 45/46 and AD 49/50. Intriguingly, the name Harbeschinis appears repeatedly within this quarry, but is very rarely attested elsewhere.2 It is most likely a Greek form of the Egyptian name Ḥr-nb-sḫm.3 Another plausibly associated Greek form, Ἑρβέσχυνις, is attested in no. 183. Seven entries include a dating formula (nos 170, 173: year 6; nos 175–178: year 8; no. 172: year 9), all from the reign of Emperor Claudius. None of them refers to any actual stone extraction, although no. 178 describes the microtoponym of Q35 as the “quarry of Isis”. The name of Claudius is consistently written with a tau instead of a delta, and without any further imperial titles. The lunate sigma is used in all Greek inscriptions.

3 Corpus

No. 170

Inv. no.: Q35.C.Inscr.1

Measurements: L. 55, W. 105 cm

Height above the ground: c. 5.5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 4); SEG 65 1916; TM Text ID 701123

Date: AD 45, 27 August–AD 46, 26 August (year 6 of Claudius)

 

ΧΙ ΦΙ

1.

ΑΡΒΕ ΠΕΤΕ

2.

ϛ ΚΛΑΟΥΤΙΟΥ

1.

Ἁρβέ(σ)χι(νις) Πετεφί(βιος)

2.

(ἔτους) ϛʹ Κλαουτίου

1.

Harbeschinis son of Petephibis

2.

Year 6 of Claudius

Commentary

Two vertical strokes in the first name may indicate the abbreviation.4 The reading of the name could also be Ἁρβέχι(νος), but is here identified as “Harbeschinis, son of Petephibis” based on other attestations of this individual within the quarry.

  • Κλαύδιος is written with a tau and an additional omicron, as Κλαούτιος.

The handwriting is identical with that of no. 174. The second line is written in smaller letters. The horizontal stroke in the large alpha consists of two strokes. The same person appears in nos 173 and 176. It has been traced with chalk (by Legrain).

No. 171

Inv. no.: Q35.C.Inscr.3

Measurements: L. 11, W. 12 cm (with boat: L. 46, W. 105 cm)

Height above the ground: c. 1 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΑΡ

1.

Ἁρ(βέσχινις)

1.

Harbeschinis

Commentary

The two letters are here interpreted as an abbreviation of the name Harbeschinis, which appears repeatedly in the quarry. The text is placed within a large boat with mast and sail.

No. 172

Inv. no.: Q35.C.Inscr.4

Measurements: L. 39, W. 140 cm (with situlae: L. 49, W. 142 cm)

Height above the ground: c. 2.5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΘᾹΜΕϹΟΡΗΤΩΠΡΟϹ

2.

ΑΡΒΕϹΧΙΝΟϹ ΠΑΚΟΙΒΙΟϹ

3.

ΜΗΚΑΝΙΟϹΙ̣ϹΙΔΟϹ ΘΕΑΜΕΧΙϹ

4.

ΓΑΛΑ

1.

(ἔτους) θʹ αʹ Μεσορὴ τὼ προσ(κύνημα)

2.

Ἁρβεσχίνος v Πακοίβιος

3.

μηκανιὸς Ἴ̣σιδος v θεᾶ(ς) μεχίσ(θης)

4.

γάλα

1.

Year 9, Mesore 1, the proskynema of

2.

Harbeschinis, son of Pakoibis,

3.

engineer of Isis the greatest goddess

4.

Milk

Commentary

L. 1: τώ is for τό.

L. 2: Ἁρβεσχίνος is written for Ἁρβέσχινις, which is a variant of the name attested in Silsila, no. 177.

  • Πάκοιβις was a common name during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, particularly in Upper Egypt.5 The Greek form is equivalent to the Egyptian name Pa-Gb.6 The name appears in another demotic inscription within the quarry (not published in this volume),7 and on inscriptions nos 175, 177, 178.

L. 3: μηχανιός is written either for μηχανι(κ)ός or for μηχαν(άρ)ιος. Both refer to the title ‘engineer’.

  • μεχίσ(θης) is written for μεγίσ(θης).

L. 4: The word ‘milk’ indicates the contents of the two situlae drawn next to the inscription, both of which are elements of the Isis cult.

The person can be identified with no. 177. Marked in chalk as no. 316.

No. 173

Inv.no.: Q35.E.Inscr.5

Measurements: (excl. quarry marks): L. 43, W. 91 cm (with quarry marks: L. 47, W. 111 cm)

Height above the ground: c. 5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 299, 302; I. Thèbes à Syène 158, 161; SB III 6914, 6917; Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 5); SEG 65 1917; TM Text ID 54372

Date: AD 45, 27 August–AD 46, 26 August (Year 6 of Claudius)

 

ΧΙ ΦΙ

1.

ΑΡΒΕ ΠΕΤΕ

2.

ϛ ΚΛΑΟΥΤΙΟΥ

1.

Ἀρβέ(σ)χι(νις) Πετεφί(βιος)

2.

(ἔτους) ϛʹ Κλαουτίου

1.

Harbeschinis, son of Petephibis

2.

Year 6 of Claudius

Commentary

L. 1: The reading of the name could also be Ἁρβέχι(νος) (see no. 170). Graff. Silsile 299: Φι[....] ǀ Πετε[…]; Graff. Silsile 302: Ἀρβε[σχῖνις] ǀ  κα̣̅ Ἁθὺ[ρ…]οσ[....]. I. Thèbes à Syène 158: Φι… ǀ Πετε…, 161: Ἀρβε(σχῖνος) ǀ (ἔτους) κ̣α̅. Ἁθὺ[ρ..]ος. Previous editors divided this inscription into two texts (Graff. Silsile 299 and 302), but inscription no. 173 confirms that it should be read as one and that his transliteration of the second line needs correcting.

As in no. 170, the names are written in an abbreviated form.8

  • The alpha has a cross bar that rises towards to the left. However, in line 2, the alpha in ‘Claudius’ is horizontal.

L. 2: The digamma indicating the date of the inscription is crudely carved, but the parallel in inscription no. 170 confirms the reading of the sign.

  • Κλαουτίου is written for Κλαυδίου.

No. 174

Inv. nos: Q35.E.Inscr.8

Measurements: L. 18, W. 56 cm (with quarry marks: L. 22, W. 82 cm)

Height above the ground: c. 4.5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 305; I. Thèbes à Syène 163; TM Text ID 54379

1.

ΠΕΤΕΜΙΝΙΟϹ

2.

ΠΕΤΕΜΙΝΙΟϹ

1.

Πετεμίνιος

2.

Πετεμίνιος

1.

(Proskynema) of Peteminis

2.

son of Peteminis

Commentary

Both names are in the genitive and may be either father and son, or the same name repeated twice. The text is flanked by two triangular quarry marks.

Traced with chalk.

No. 175a–b

Inv. nos: Q35.E.Inscr.9 and 13

Measurements: 175a: L. 36, W. 60 cm; 175b: L. 45, W. 90 cm

Height above the ground: c. 4.5 m (directly below no. 174)

Condition: Well preserved. Traced with chalk

Bibliography: 175a: Graff. Silsile 301; I. Thèbes à Syène 160; SB III 6916; Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 7); 175b: Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 7b); SEG 65 1919; TM Text ID 54374

Date: AD 47, 28 August–AD 48, 26 August (Year 8 of Claudius)

1.

ΤΟΦΡΟϹΚΥΝΗΜΑ

2.

ΠΑΚΟΙΒΙΟϹ

3.

ΠΑΟΥΗΡΟϹ

4.

Η̣ [ΓΛΑ]Υ̣ΤIϹ ΦΑΩΦΙ[…]

1.

Τὸ φροσκύνημα

2.

Πακοίβιος

3.

Παουήριος

4.

(ἔτους) η̣ʹ [Κλα]ύ̣τις Φαῶφι […]

1.

The proskynema of

2.

Pakoibis

3.

son of Paoueris

4.

Year [8 of Cla]udius, Phaophi[…]

Commentary

The inscription is today in two parts, due to breakage. The main portion (no. 175a) is in situ, c. 6 m above the ground towards the southern corner of the eastern quarry face. The second fragment (no. 175b) appears on a detached fragment and preserves most of line 4.

A quarry mark representing a tree is present to the immediate right of the inscription; this is also mostly preserved on fragment no. 175b. No. 174 is located above this inscription.

L. 1: φροσκύνημα is written for προσκύνημα, Graff. Silsile 301: προσκύνημα.

L. 2: Graff. Silsile 301: Πακοίριος N[εω(τέρου)]. The recovered fragment no. 175b shows the top of a tree—a quarry mark.

L. 4: The first fragmentary word may be reconstructed as the name Claudius in the nominative, as in text no. 178, with whom this person is identified. The far left end of the detached fragment preserves part of a vertical line; based on a comparison with inscription nos 176 and 177, this may be reasonably reconstructed as part of an eta, referring to the eighth regnal year of Claudius.

No. 176

Inv. no.: Q35.E.Inscr.10

Measurements: L. 64, W. 138 cm

Height above the ground: c. 2.5 m

Condition: Well preserved. Traced with chalk

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 304; I. Thèbes à Syène 162; SB III 6918; SEG 65 1920 TM Text ID 54378

Date: AD 47/48 (year 8 of Claudius)

1.

ΤΟΠΡΟϹΚΥΝΜΑ

2.

ΑΡΒΕϹΧΙΝΙϹ

3.

ΠΕΤΕΦΙΒΙϹ

4.

Η

1.

Τὸ προσκύνμα

2.

Ἁρβέσχινις

3.

Πετέφιβις

4.

(ἔτους) ηʹ

1.

The proskynema:

2.

Harbeschinis

3.

(son of) Petephibis

4.

Year 8.

Commentary

L. 1: Previous publications: προσκύνεμα. Προσκύνμα is written for προσκύνημα (similar: no. 119).

L. 2: Graff. Silsile 304: Ἁρβεσκίνιος. In the name Ἁρβέσχινις, the chi and preceding sigma are linked together.

L. 3: Graff. Silsile 304: Πετεφίαι.

L. 4: Graff. Silsile 304: excluded the last line.

  • Πετέφιβις (here in the nominative) is well documented as a Greek form of the Egyptian name Pꜣ-ti҆-pꜣ-hb.9

  • Inscriptions nos 170 and 173 were written by the same hand, contain the name of Claudius and can, thus, confirm the proposed ruler.

No. 177

Inv.no.: Q35.E.Inscr.11

Measurements: L. 33 (50 cm including quarry mark), W. 185 cm

Height above the ground: c. 2.5 m

Condition: Well preserved. Traced with chalk

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 300; I. Thèbes à Syène 159, SB III 6915 TM Text ID 54373

Date: AD 47, Sept. 17 (year 8 of Claudius)

1.

ΗΙΘΑ ΡΒΕϹΧΙΝΟϹ ΜΗΚΑΝΙΟϹ

2.

ΘΩΘΠΑΚΟΙΒΙΟϹ ΕΙϹΙΔΟϹ

1 2 3

1.

(ἔτους) ηʹ ιθʹ Ἁρβεσχίνος μηκανιòς

2.

Θώθ Πακοίβιος Εἴσιδος

Year 8, Thoth 19, Harbeschinos, son of Pakoibis, engineer of Isis

Commentary

The text is written in three columns, but in continuous lines.

Col. 2 l. 1: For Ἁρβεσχίνος see no. 172. The two persons might be identical.

Col. 3 l. 1: μηκανιός is written for μηχανικός or for μηχαν(άρ)ιος. The same word appears in no. 172.

The person is identified with no. 172.

No. 178

Inv.no.: Q35.E.Inscr.12

Measurements: (excl. quarry mark): L. 61, W. 135 cm (with tree: L. 76, W. 184 cm)

Height above the ground: c. 1.5 m

Condition: marked during previous documentation as no. 320 and traced with chalk

Bibliography: Nilsson & Almásy (2015: no. 6); SEG 65 1918 TM Text ID 701124

Date: AD 47, Sept. 15 (Year 8 of Claudius)

1.

ΤΩΠΡΟϹΚΥΝΗΜΑ

2.

ΠΑΚΟΙΒΙΟϹΠΑΟΥΗΡΙΟϹ

3.

ΠΑΡΤΥΘΕΟΥΜΕΧΙΘΟΥΕΝΤΗϹ

4.

ΑΛΤΩΜΙΑϹΘΕΟΙϹΙϹΙ

5.

ΗΓΛΑΥΤΙΟϹΘΩΘΙΘ̅

1.

Τὼ προσκύνημα

2.

Πακοίβιος Παουήριος

3.

πὰρ τῦ θεοῦ μεχίθου ἐντοῖςτῆς

4.

λατωμίας θεοῖς Ἴσι

5.

(ἔτους) ηʹ Γλαύτιος Θὼθ ιθʹ

1.

The proskynema of

2.

Pakoibis, son of Paoueris

3.

before the greatest god among the gods of

4.

the quarry, Isis

5.

Year 8 of Claudius, Thoth 19

Commentary

The text is written by the same person as no. 175. A quarry mark depicting a tree appears directly to the right.

L. 1: τώ for τό.10

L. 2: Pakoibis was a common name during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, particularly in Upper Egypt.11 The Greek form is equivalent to the Egyptian name Pa-Gb.12 The name recurs in another demotic inscription within the quarry.13 Other than the two examples in Q35, the Greek form Paoueris is unusual.14 It corresponds to the Egyptian name Pa-wr,15 found in demotic both within the quarry and frequently elsewhere.

L. 3: The use of the genitive with the preposition παρά is uncommon.16

  • τῦ was probably written for τῇ.

  • μεχίθου is for μεγίστου where the -ου ending was used instead of an -, so μεχίθου stands for μεγίστῃ.

L. 4: αλτωμιας is written for λατομίας: The reversal of the vocals in the syllable

  • λα (rendered as αλ) may be a graphical error.17 In the same word, as in line 1, omega has been written instead of an omicron.18

  • Ἴσι is a peculiar dative written instead of Ἴσιδι.

L. 5: This variant, Γλαύτιος, of the name Claudius is uncommon.19 The use of gamma instead of kappa20 and of tau instead of delta21 corresponds to the demotic forms of the name. The ruler’s name is in the nominative, as in inscription no. 175b.

4 Quarry 37 (Q37—‘the Naos Quarry’)

Q37 is one of the larger quarries on the east bank, measuring approximately 200 × 90 m at its longest and widest. It stretches out along the Nile, separated only by a large pathway and the quarry’s associated quay, which is situated c. 50 m to the west. Because of stone extraction by dynamite, used for the construction of the Esna barrage (1906–1909), the northern section (Q37.A–C, northern surface of K) of the quarry is void of any ancient epigraphy, and the open space that was created thereof now offers access for the modern visitor. During the Roman period, however, access was through the three corridors. The northern corridor (Q37.N.K) was used for the transportation of stone blocks, supported by corresponding large rope holes and a paved central aisle along which the blocks were dragged towards the quay. The quarry is divided into two parts (north and south), and consists of 29 quarry faces (Fig. 37).

d333733425e47949

Figure 37

Topographic plan of Q37 marked with its quarry marks, and Greek inscriptions (nos. 179–192)

Line drawing by Maria Nilsson

The tool marks on the quarry faces follow a diagonal, parallel pattern, or slightly curved herringbone in corners, and the blocks are generally 70 cm long × 175–210 cm wide, and 60 cm deep (variations occur). Approximately 17 horizontal extraction levels of good quality stone (below the frail top layer) could be estimated for the one of the taller quarry faces (F) in the northern part. Based on the general block size and the preserved footmarks of trenches, it can be estimated that quarry face F produced between 200 and 300 blocks for each step extraction from top to bottom. Using the deepest quarry core itself (quarry faces E, F, G and I) as an example, an estimated volume of blocks equals just under 13,000 m3, and over 30,000 tonnes of sandstone, or c. 650 blocks per horizontal layer. Thus, approximately 11,000 blocks were produced from the extracted surface now framed by quarry faces E, F, G and I, during a 37 year period.22 The amount of sandstone that was extracted (each season, by each team, or at a certain occasion?) is commemorated in a demotic round-topped stela (Fig. 38) from year 23 of Augustus, which states that 2500 blocks of stone were extracted.23

d333733425e47977

Figure 38

Round-topped stela crowned with the winged sun disc. The stela is situated c. 18 m above the ground

Photo by Maria Nilsson

Quarry 37 is nicknamed the ‘Naos Quarry’ based on a shrine-like structure that is situated in the northern part on the preserved plateau above K, I, L, and M. The shrine, which was cleared of debris and documented in 2013, is primarily rock hewn with a constructed flat roof consisting of three large (3.5–4 m long) blocks. It opens to the west. In front of the naos were found indications of an extended sanctuary, including column drums, and a series of rooms were excavated in 2019. Below the plateau, to the south, is situated another complex of several rooms, which was roofed by means of wooden beams and organic material. This complex was archaeologically explored in 2019, with continued excavations planned for the upcoming seasons. Statue fragments and debris, as well as everyday goods made from sandstone, indicate a workshop. Connecting the two areas is a staircase that follows the curvature of the hill, and indications of a castellation were discovered in 2019. The archaeological material that was found during the excavations included several oil lamps, beads, coins, and demotic ostraca.

5 The Epigraphy

The epigraphy of Q37 has received limited previous attention, and the presentation of the material is incomplete, with several erroneous facsimiles and transliterations.24 However, a few documents, including two Greek texts, are no longer preserved due to modern quarrying, our only original source for which is Legrain’s documentation.25 The northern part has the greatest amount of epigraphic material, including 53 demotic and 12 Greek texts, and 286 quarry marks, divided over ten quarry faces (all except A–B, and L). The corresponding numbers of the southern part are in total 33, including one demotic and two Greek texts (all shallowly etched) and 30 quarry marks. Thus, Q37 has in total 384 examples of inscribed material, including the 14 Greek texts published herein.

The Greek inscriptions include nine signatures, two proskynemata, and three illegible texts, listing 16 individuals, dated to between year 29 of Augustus and year 19 of Tiberius. However, the spatial relation between nos 180–181 and a demotic round topped stela pushes back the temporal frame to year 23 of Augustus (cf. Fig. 38). Two texts mention the goddess Isis as the receiver of their dedications (nos 187, 190). No. 182 is the only recorded text which applies a variation of theta in which the horizontal bar is replaced with a dot. As before, the lunate sigma is used consistently.

6 Corpus

No. 179

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.C.Inscr.3

Measurements: L. 18, W. 45 cm (excluding the quarry marks)

Height above the ground: c. 6 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 54; I. Thèbes à Syène 86; SB III 6848 TM Text ID 54201

1.

ΤΟΠΡΟϹΑΡΙϹΤΩΝΟϹ

Τ

2.

ΑΜΜΩΝΙΟΥϹΥΝΙΤΟΥ

1.

Τὸ προσ(κύνημα) Ἀρίστωνος

2.

Ἀμμωνίου Συνίτου

1.

The proskynema of Ariston

2.

son of Ammonios, Synites(?)

Commentary

The tau added between lines 1 and 2 may be intended as an abbreviation sigla for the Proskynema. The text is surrounded by quarry marks, including offering tables and a tree.

L. 2: Συνίτου was interpreted by the previous editors (Graff. Silsile 54; I. Thèbes à Syène 86) as Συηνίτου ‘man from Syene’ referring to the provenance of the dedicator.

Nos. 180–181

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.F.Inscr.3–4

Measurements: c. L. 31, W. 72 cm incl. quarry mark (no. 180: c. L. 7, W. 23 cm; no. 181: c. L. 6, W. 24 cm)

Height above the ground: c. 15 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΑΜΜΩΝΙΟϹ ΠΑΝΟΥΦΙϹ

2.

ΔΙΩΝ

1.

Ἀμμώνιος Πάνουφις

2.

Δίων

1.

Ammonios Panouphis

2.

(son of) Dion

Commentary

The surface was rubbed down and smoothed to receive the first signature. The names are separated by a centrally placed offering table. To the right is a demotic round topped stela that is dated to year 23 of Augustus, and which offers a relative date also for nos 180–181.

No. 182

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.G.Inscr.7

Measurements: L. 13, W. 32 cm (excluding the quarry mark)

Height above the ground: c. 5.5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 38; I. Thèbes à Syène 84 TM Text ID 54192

1.

ΒΑΡΑΘΗϹ

2.

ΒΑΡΑΘΗϹ

1.

Βαράθης

2.

Βαράθης

1.

Barathes

2.

Barathes

Commentary

Graff. Silsile 38 and I. Thèbes à Syène 84: Ἐλλά[δ]ης Θαράθης.

  • Both names are in the nominative, and line 2 may be a repetition or patronym.

  • Βαράθης is the Greek rendering of an Aramaic name, with only three examples in Egypt,26 but well attested elsewhere.27

No. 183

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.G.Inscr.8

Measurements: L. 25, W. 46 cm

Height above the ground: c. 3.5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 39; I. Thèbes à Syène 85 TM Text ID 54193

Date: 14 September 30 AD (Year 17 of Tiberius)

1.

ΤΟΠΡΟϹΚΥΝΗΜΑ

2.

ΜΑϹΗϹΔΡΑΚΩΝ

3.

ΕΙϹΛΑΤΟΜΙΑΝ

4.

ΙΖΤΙΒΕΡΙΟΥ

5.

ΚΑΙϹΑΡΟϹϹΕΒΑϹΤΟΥ

6.

ΘΩΥΘΙΘ

1.

Τὸ προσκύνημα

2.

Μασῆς Δράκων

3.

εἰς λατομίαν

4.

(ἔτους) ιζʹ Τιβερίου

5.

Καίσαρος Σεβαστοῦ

6.

Θωὺθ ιθʹ

1.

The proskynema:

2.

Mases, (son of) Drakon

3.

in the quarry

4.

Year 17 Tiberius

5.

Caesar Augustus

6.

Thoth 19

Commentary

L. 2: Graff. Silsile 39: Θράκων.

L. 2: The name Μασῆς is known only here. It may be a variant of Μασᾶς, a name well-known outside Egypt.28

No. 184

Inv. no.: GeSE.Q37N.H.Inscr.1

Measurements: c. L. 37, W. 24 cm

Height above the ground: c. 7.5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

Ι Ϲ

1.

ΨΕΝΤΟΤΟΗϹ

1.

ΨένιςΤοτόης

1.

Psenis (son of) Totoes

Commentary

A horizontal bar above the nu indicates the linear suspension of the final two letters, inserted above, of Psenis. The text is situated within an offering table.

The name, Ψένις is rare and only known from three sources of the 2nd–3rd century AD (TM Name 17713, SB 6 9374 l. 11, P. Achmim 9 col. 2 l. 48, BGU 15 2509 vo l. 10).

No. 185

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.J.Inscr.2

Measurements: L. 5, W. 24 cm (with demotic: L. 14, W. 28 cm)

Height above the ground: c. 7.5 m

Condition: well preserved

Bibliography: unpublished

1.

ΤΟΤΟΗϹ

1.

Τοτόης

2.

Twtw sꜣ Pa-wr

1.

(Gr.) Totoes

2.

(Dem.) Totoes, son of Paoueris

Commentary

The signature is repeated in demotic, which also provides the patronym. The chisel marks of the two inscriptions and the images are identical and it seems they were all carved with the same instrument. The text is situated below a quarry mark series of a tree, situla and an offering table.

No. 186

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.2

Measurements: L. 33, W. 26 cm (including offering table)

Height above the ground: c. 1 m

Condition: poorly preserved

Bibliography: unpublished

[---]VΟϹ

Commentary

The text is situated within an offering table and damaged by intentional erasure.

No. 187

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.4–5

Measurements: L. 19, W. 59 cm

Height above the ground: c. 1.5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 24; I. Thèbes à Syène 81; Moje 2014 no. 17; TM Text ID 54185

4.

ΚΟΛΛΟ

5.

ΥΘΗϹ

1.

Pꜣ-di҆-Ḥr-pꜣ-ẖrṱ sꜣ Ḳny?

2.

i҆rm Ḳlwḏ pꜣi҆=f šr nꜣ šty.w n I҆s.t

3.

n-ṯꜣi҆-n ḥꜣ.t-sp 29 n Gysrs ꜥ.w.s r-hn-r hꜣ.t-sp 19

4.

n Tbrysꜥ.w.s Κολλο-

5.

ύθης

1.

(Dem.) Peteharpokrates, son of Ḳny?

2.

and Kolluthes, his son: the extraction for Isis.

3.

From the year 29 of Augustus to 19

4.

of Tiberius (Gr.) Kollo-

5.

uthes

Commentary

Graff. Silsile 24: ‘Peteharpechrates, der Sohn des …, und Kolluthes, … der Liturgien der Isis vom Jahre 29 des Augustus bis zum Jahre 19 des Tiberius.’

Moje 2014 no. 17: Pꜣ-di҆-Ḥr-pꜣ-ẖrṱ sꜣ Wyn…(?) (2) i҆rm Ḳlwḏ nb ḥḏ n nꜣ šti҆.w n ꜣs.t (3) n-ṯꜣy-n ḥsb.t 29 n Gysrsꜥws r-ẖn-r ḥsb.t 19 (4) n Tbrysꜥws Gr. Κολλο- | ύθης.

  • The Greek text is a repetition of the son’s name in the associated demotic graffito.

The demotic text refers to the quarrying activity for the goddess Isis. Another demotic inscription written next to this mentions the reconstruction work for Isis of Koptos under the surveillance of the well-known Parthenios son of Paminis, agent of Isis. The text was first published by Spiegelberg as a stela with unknown provenance.29 However, it is not a stela but an inscription from the corridor of the quarry dedicated to Isis in Gebel el-Silsila. The text published here probably also refers to Isis of Koptos and the same construction work.

L. 1: The reading of the father’s name, Ḳny?, is not secure. The signs after -y- appear to be determinatives.

L. 4–5: The letters of the Greek name are larger than the demotic signs, and we can assume that the two inscriptions were written by different persons.

No. 188

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.7–8

Measurements: L. 27, W. 70 cm (including demotic)

Height above the ground: c. 1 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 25–26; I. Thèbes à Syène 82; SB III 6843 TM Text ID 97671 and 54186

1.

ΨΕΝΗ̣ΑΓΙΟϹ

1.

Ψενμ̣άγιος

2.

Pꜣ-di҆-Mi҆n sꜣ Wḏꜣ-Ḥr

1.

Psenmagios

2.

Peteminis, son of Otehyris

Commentary

The Greek and the demotic texts are not related (they mention different persons), although they appear to have been written by the same hand based on the compatible tool grooves.

L. 1: In the name Ψενμ̣άγιος the μ is written as an η.

L. 2: Graff. Silsile 25 has Cha-pe-wšt Sohn des Horos, but the copy does not include the first two demotic signs.

No. 189

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.12

Measurements: L. 13.5, W. 13 cm (including offering table)

Height above the ground: c. 2 m

Condition: poorly preserved

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 29 TM Text ID 54190

Illegible

Commentary

The text is placed within an offering table.

In Graff. Silsile this is recorded as ‘Totoes’ but the preserved details do not support this reading. It is possibly a reversed writing of πορσ(…) for προσκύνημα. Marked in chalk as no. 301.

No. 190

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37N.KS.Inscr.13

Measurements: L. 16, W. 22 cm

Height above the ground: c. 2.5 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Graff. Silsile 28; I. Thèbes à Syène 83; SB III 6845 TM Text ID 54189

Date: 17 September 14 AD

1.

ΙϹΙϹΘΕΑΜΕΓΙϹ

2.

ΤΗϹ ΕΡΒΕϹΧΥΝ

3.

ΠΑΜ̣ΗϹ̣Ι̣Ϲ(?)ΑΝΕ

4.

ΘΗΓΕΝvΜΔ

5.

ΚΑΙϹΑΡΟϹ

6.

ΘΩΥΘ Κ̅

1.

Ἶσις θεὰ μεγίσ-

2.

της v Ἑρβέσχυν(ις)

3.

Πάμ̣ησ̣ι̣ς ἀνέ-

4.

θηγεν (ἔτους) μ̣δʹ

5.

Καίσαρος

6.

Θωὺθ vvvκʹ

1.

Isis the greatest goddess

2.

Herbeschynis

3.

(son of) Pamesis (?) dedicated (it).

4.

Year 44 of

5.

Caesar

6.

Thoth 20

Commentary

The stone surface was partially smoothed to receive the text.

L. 1–2: Ἶσις θεὰ is written in the nominative and μεγίστης in the genitive. After the verb ἀνέθηκεν both should be dative (see I. Thèbes à Syène 83 note on L. 2: ‘on devrait avoirἾσιδι θεᾷ μεγίστηι’).

L. 3–4: Graff. Silsile 28; I. Thèbes à Syène 83: “Μ . [.]η̣ [. .] ἀνέ-”. .

  • Πάμ̣ησ̣ι̣ς (in the nominative here) may be the variant of Πάνησις/Φάνησις or Pꜥ-mr-ḥse.

  • ἀνέθηγεν is written for ἀνέθηκεν.

L. 6: Graff. Silsile 28 l. 5–6; Καίσαρο̣[ς[Φ]- | α̣ῶφ̣ι̣, I. Thèbes à Syène 83: Καίσαρο̣ς [Φ]- | α̣ῶφ̣ι

Marked in chalk as no. 300 (10).

No. 191

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37S.M.Inscr.1

Measurements: L. 98 × W. 12.5 cm

Height above the ground: c. 1 m

Condition: Well preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

ΛΥϹΙϹΘΥΡϹΙ̣Ω̣ΝΟϹ

1.

Λῦσις Θυρσί̣ω̣νος

1.

Lysis son of Thyrsion

Commentary

The reading, Θυρσίων, is likely, but the name is known only outside Egypt.30 The omega is irregular and disarticulated, likely caused by a wedge mark situated above it.

No. 192

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q37S.GN.Inscr.1

Measurements: L. 24, W. 15 cm (including surrounding table)

Height above the ground: c. 1.5 m

Condition: Poorly preserved

Bibliography: Unpublished

1.

Ϲ(?)ΑΗϹ

2.

Χ

1.

Ψ̣(?)αης

2.

Χ[…]

1.

Psaes (?)

2.

Kh[…]

Commentary

The text is very poorly executed and scratched into an uneven surface.

7 Quarry 40 (Q40 and ‘Commemoration Road’)

Q40 is a very small surface quarry situated some 230 m east of the Nile, and 170 m south-east of Q37. The quarry appears to have been abandoned almost immediately due to the poor quality of its stone, and which is indicated by the shallow depth and limited number of blocks removed. The quarry itself does not contain any epigraphic material, but the area immediately to its west contains a concentration of 28 feet graffiti, including an inscribed sandal. The graffiti are distributed over a small part of a road as it descends from the northern part of the plateau to the lower quarry levels, and is there intersected by another pathway that runs from the southern plateau down to the Nile. The corpus consists of a variety of sandals and feet, ranging from simple outlined soles to more elaborate sandals with interior decoration and details. The style of production includes engraved, scratched and hammered examples equally. One of the sandals is situated next to a larger anthropomorphic figure (c. 55 cm tall) illustrated in profile. This sandal is shallowly incised and accompanied by a Greek signature forming the name ΠΕΤϹΕΟϹ. The sandal is likely to be a synecdoche for the person, but may also be intended to represent a real or symbolic act of adoration. Examples from the Graeco-Roman world demonstrate textually how a sandal or foot signified a divinity per se, or its previous or continuing presence.31 It could also act as a continuous physical place where the worshipper could place his (or her) own feet to effect a bodily connection between the divine and the human through which the devotee could receive protection and positive influence,32 but could equally be a simple print of a passing by visitor.33 It may be seen as a votive inscription that perpetuates the name of the producer and/or commemorates an act of Proskynema or a consecration of a votive.34 If it also incorporates the physical act, performed by the devotee, he (or she) would be standing (prostrated) metaphorically before the god, i.e. placing one’s feet on the physical (and metaphysical) sacred ground, in an adoration that would be repeated indefinitely through the incised documentation thereof.35 The feet of a devotee, especially when signed, would therefore become a vehicle in which an individual’s name would be symbolically cemented in the presence of the deity addressed, as with the formula “may his (beautiful) name [NN] remain here before [X]” and “before God [X]” (and similar).36 Examples of abbreviated adoration formulae appear frequently in Q34, especially in partition F, as seen in Chapter 5.

8 Corpus

No. 193

Inv.no.: GeSE.Q40.Inscr.1

Measurements: L. 11, W. 39 cm

Height above the ground: 0 cm (incised into the bedrock floor)

Condition: well preserved, but shallowly etched

Bibliography: unpublished

1.

ΠΕΤϹΕΟϹ

1.

Πέτσεος

1.

Petseos

Commentary

The signature is superimposed over a sandal graffito. The name is unknown, and only one similar form, Πετσεῶς, is attested (Elephantine, 1st century AD).37

Table 10

Individuals listed in the southern quarries

No.

Type of text

Name in transliteration

Name transcribed

Type of individual

Location

170

S

Ἁρβέ(σ)χι(νις)

Harbeschinis

1st

Q35.C

170

S

Πετεφί(βιος)

Petephibis

Father

Q35.C

171

S

Ἁρ(βέσχινις)

Harbeschinis

1st

Q35.C

172

S

Ἁρβεσχίνος

Harbeschinis

1st

Q35.C

172

S

Πακοίβιος

Pakoibis

Father

Q35.C

173

S

Ἀρβέ(σ)χι(νις)

Harbeschinis

1st

Q35.E

173

S

Πετεφί(βιος)

Petephibis

Father

Q35.E

174

S

Πετεμίνιος

Peteminis

1st

Q35.E

174

S

Πετεμίνιος

Peteminis

Father

Q35.E

175

P

Πακοίβιος

Pakoibis

1st

Q35.E

175

P

Παουήριος

Paweris

Father

Q35.E

176

P

Ἁρβέσχινις

Harbeschinis

1st

Q35.E

176

P

Πετέφιβις

Petephibis

Father

Q35.E

177

S

Ἁρβεσχίνος

Harbeschinis

1st

Q35.E

177

S

Πακοίβιος

Pakoibis

Father

Q35.E

178

P

Πακοίβιος

Pakoibis

1st

Q35.E

178

P

Παουήριος

Paweris

Father

Q35.E

179

P

Ἀρίστωνος

Ariston

1st

Q37N.C

179

P

Ἀμμονίου

Ammonios

Father

Q37N.C

180

S

Ἀμμώνιος

Ammonios

1st

Q37N.F

180

S

Δίων

Dion

Father

Q37N.F

181

S

Πάνουφις

Panouphis

1st

Q37N.F

182

S

Βαράθης

Barathes

1st

Q37N.G

182

S

Βαράθης

Barathes

Father

Q37N.G

183

P

Μασῆς

Mases

1st

Q37N.G

183

P

Δράκων

Drakon

Father

Q37N.G

184

S

Ψένις

Psenis

1st

Q37N.H

184

S

Τοτόης

Totoes

Father

Q37N.H

185

S

Τοτόης

Totoes

1st

Q37N.J

185

S

Twtw

Totoes

1st

Q37N.J

185

S

Pa-wr

Paueris

Father

Q37N.J

186

I

Q37.KS

187

S

Pꜣ-di҆-Ḥr-pꜣ-ẖrṱ

Peteharpokrates

1st

Q37.KS

187

S

Ḳny?

Father

Q37.KS

187

S

Κολλούθης

Kollouthes

Son

Q37.KS

188

S

Ψενμ̣άγιος

Psenmagios

1st

Q37.KS

188

S

Pꜣ-di҆-Mi҆n

Peteminis

2nd

Q37.KS

188

S

Wḏꜣ-Ḥr

Otehyris

Father

Q37.KS

189

I

190

D

Ἑρβέσχυν(ις)

Herbeschynis

1st

Q37.KS

190

D

Πάμ̣ησ̣ι̣ς

Pamesis

Father

Q37.KS

191

S

Λῦσις

Lysis

1st

Q37S.M

191

S

Θυρσί̣ω̣νος

Thyrsion

Father

Q37S.M

192

S

Ψ̣(?)αης

Psaes (?)

1st

Q37S.GS

192

I

Q37S.GS

193

S

Πέτσεος

Petseos

1st

Q40

(Grey = demotic; Type of text: I = Illegible; P = Proskynema; S = Signature)

1

Graff. Silsile 292–305 (Greek inscriptions = nos 299–302, 304–305). The epigraphic documents on quarry face C were chalk-marked as nos 312–317, and E as nos 318–321.

2

TM Name ID 8273; NB 46.

3

DNb, 823: ‘Horus, Herr von Letopolis’; CDD S, 2013, 376. This demotic form occurs in quarry Q24(.TS) at Gebel el-Silsila (Graff. Silsile 289).

4

Cf. Avi-Yonah (1940: 36).

5

TM Name ID 700; NB 258; Foraboschi (1971: 225–226).

6

DNb 418: ‘Der zu Geb Gehörige’.

7

Graff. Silsile 303.

8

For an alternative reading of the first name in its nominative form (Harbeschinos), see I. Thèbes à Syène 158, 161.

9

DNb, 306: ‘Der, den der Ibis gegeben hat’; TM Name ID 7927.

10

Very common in inscriptions from Gebel el-Silsila or elsewhere: cf. Gignac (1976: 277).

11

TM Name ID 700; NB 258; Foraboschi (1971: 225–226).

12

DNb 418: ‘Der zu Geb Gehörige’.

13

Graff. Silsile 303.

14

NB 272; Foraboschi (1971: 233).

15

DNb 359–360: ‘Der des Großen’.

16

E.g. Geraci (1971: 57, 69); Bernand (1977: 18).

17

For other examples where the liquid consonant and an adjacent vowel are interchanged see Gignac (1976: 315, where it is interpreted as a scribal inversion of the letters).

18

One expects λατομίας cf. Bernand (1984: no. 115, 278–279).

19

E.g. Κλαυτίου BGU 13 2335; Γλαυδίου O. Bodl 2 474.

20

Gignac (1976: 77).

21

Gignac (1976: 88).

22

The earliest (unpublished demotic) dating formula, situated at the upper levels of quarry face F give a date of “Year 23 of Augustus, Shemu 3, Day 16”, while the latest date, situated closer to the ground, is given in no. 184 as “Year 17 of Tiberius, Thoth, Day 19”.

23

This stela will be published separately.

24

Graff. Silsile 21–69; I. Thèbes à Syène 81–87.

25

Graff. Silsile 62: ΑΡΒ followed by an offering table and a tree. Considering their spatial closeness and the application of abbreviations in Q35, the name is likely to be that of Ἁρβ(έσχινις Πετεφίβιος), documented in nos 170–171, 173 and 176. Cf. I. Thèbes à Syène 87; Graff. Silsile 69: ΠΑΝΙϹ[ΚΟϹ].

26

O. Claud. 3 471, 1; O. Claud. 3 474, 1; I. Did. 5, 7.

27

Wuthnow (1930: 33).

28

Μασᾶς is attested only once in Egypt: TM Name 37935 (I. Paneion 81 ll. 2–3), but is common outside Egypt: LGPN, clas-lgpn2.classics.ox.ac.uk/names/Μασας.

29

Republished in Vleeming (2001: 172–173, no. 183).

30

LGPN: http://clas-lgpn2.classics.ox.ac.uk/name/Θυρσίων.

31

Chiarini (2017).

32

Petridou (2015: 78 with n. 262).

33

Dijkstra (2012: 43–46).

34

See for example Spiegelberg (1928: 24): a Graeco-Roman graffito at Deir el-Medina, which states “May the beautiful name of Psenchonsis, son of Teos, be enduring in the presence of Hathor, the Great Goddess, the Lady of the West”.

35

Vleeming (2001: 256).

36

Nilsson (2015b: 5).

37

O. Cairo 69 l. 1.

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