Marble Plaque for Donation to a Temple
Dublin Core
Title
Marble Plaque for Donation to a Temple
Subject
Plaque
Description
Inscription:
[θε]οῦ προνoίᾳ Ε̣[ὕρε=
το?]ς πρεσβύ(τερος) κὲ ἔποικος
μετὰ τῆς συβίου κὲ τέκν=
ων μου ἀνενέωσα τὸ
πρόναον τοῦ ἁγιάσ=
ματος ἐκ τῶν δωρε=
ῶν τοῦ θεοῦ.
וארטאס עשה
תפּלות שלום
Translation:
(Greek) Through the providence of God, I, E[uretu]s(?), Elder and Trustee, with my wife and children, renovated the forecourt of the temple with the gifts of god. (Hebrew) Euretus made house of prayer, peace.
This marble plaque most likely served as a dedication to the patron who helped fund the renovation of synagogue forecourt. The Greek inscription indicates who made the donation and the purpose for said donation. The Hebrew text further praises him for helping to create a house of prayer. Further, below the lines of text, we are presented with Judaic symbols that hold significance to multiple Jewish holidays. This might indicate that the donation was made around the time of a Jewish holiday or as a gift to the temple for one of the holidays. Regardless of its origin or meaning, this plaque serves as an important piece of work that gives insight to ancient Judaic culture of antiquity.
[θε]οῦ προνoίᾳ Ε̣[ὕρε=
το?]ς πρεσβύ(τερος) κὲ ἔποικος
μετὰ τῆς συβίου κὲ τέκν=
ων μου ἀνενέωσα τὸ
πρόναον τοῦ ἁγιάσ=
ματος ἐκ τῶν δωρε=
ῶν τοῦ θεοῦ.
וארטאס עשה
תפּלות שלום
Translation:
(Greek) Through the providence of God, I, E[uretu]s(?), Elder and Trustee, with my wife and children, renovated the forecourt of the temple with the gifts of god. (Hebrew) Euretus made house of prayer, peace.
This marble plaque most likely served as a dedication to the patron who helped fund the renovation of synagogue forecourt. The Greek inscription indicates who made the donation and the purpose for said donation. The Hebrew text further praises him for helping to create a house of prayer. Further, below the lines of text, we are presented with Judaic symbols that hold significance to multiple Jewish holidays. This might indicate that the donation was made around the time of a Jewish holiday or as a gift to the temple for one of the holidays. Regardless of its origin or meaning, this plaque serves as an important piece of work that gives insight to ancient Judaic culture of antiquity.
Source
The Judy and Michael Steinhardt Collection
Publisher
Austin Cooper
Date
4th - 6th Century
Contributor
Austin Cooper
Rights
The Judy and Michael Steinhardt Collection
Relation
https://usepigraphy.brown.edu/projects/usep/inscription/NY.NY.MMA.GH.L.2000.74.2/
Format
Marble ; 15.98cm 15.74cm x 0.96cm
Language
Greek and Hebrew
Type
Plaque
Identifier
2000.74.2
Collection
Citation
“Marble Plaque for Donation to a Temple,” Byzantine Philly, accessed June 19, 2025, https://byzantinephilly.lcdss.reclaim.hosting/items/show/27.