By November 27, 2008 Read More →

Eudocia Inscription, 408-450 CE

Eudocia_Inscription

Eudocia Inscription

Eudocia_Inscription_in_situ

Eudocia Inscription in situ

Eudocia was the wife of the Byzantine emperor Theodosius II (408 A.D.–450 A.D.). She lived in Jerusalem. Written in Greek on a large marble slab embedded in the floor of the Hall of the Fountains, the Eudocia inscription consists of 17 lines. The first line contains the name of Eudocia herself together with her royal titles. The inscription is in the form of a poem extolling the hot springs and the baths.

It reads as follows-

Of the Empress Eudocia

In my life many and infinite wonders have I seen

But who, however many his mouths, could proclaim, O noble Clibanus,

Your strength, having been born a worthless mortal? But rather

It is just that you be called a new fiery ocean,

Paean and life source, provider of sweet streams.

From you is born the infinite swell, here one, there another,

On this side boiling, but there in turn cold and tepid. You pour forth your beauty into four tetrads of springs.

Indian and Matrona, Repentinus, Elijah the Holy, Antoninus the Good, dewy Galatia and
Hygieia herself, the large warm (baths) and the small warm (baths),

The Pearl, the old Clibanus, Indian, and also another Matrona, Briara and the Nun, and the (spring) of the Patriarch.

For those in pain your mighty strength (is ever constant).

But (I will sing) of god, famous for wisdom …

For the benefit of men and …

The inscription was discovered in 1980.

“Sumptuous Roman Baths Uncovered Near Sea of Galilee,” BAR Nov-Dec 1984.

Posted in: Byzantine Period

Comments are closed.