Language Early Christian inscriptions
this funerary stele 3rd century among earliest christian inscriptions; abbreviation d.m. @ top refers di manes, traditional spirits of dead
latin inscriptions numerous. in east, greek commonly employed, interesting dialects being found, in christian inscriptions nubia in southern egypt deciphered in 19th century. special mention should made of coptic inscriptions. text shortened means of signs , abbreviations. @ date, christian abbreviations found side side traditionally used in connection religions of roman empire. 1 of common d.m. diis manibus, protecting deities of lower world. phrase presumably lost original religious meaning , became conventional formula used christians. of time, dates of christian inscriptions must judged context, when dates given, appear in roman consular notation, is, naming 2 consuls held office year. method of chronological computation varied in different countries. present dionysian chronology not appear in christian inscriptions.
Comments
Post a Comment