General characteristics Early Christian inscriptions

1 general characteristics

1.1 materials
1.2 artistic value
1.3 language

general characteristics
materials

the materials on christian inscriptions written same used other inscriptions in antiquity. sepulchral inscriptions , epigraphic records, substance commonly employed stone of different kinds, native or imported. use of metal less common. when inscription cut stone, called titulus or marble; if merely scratched on stone, italian word graffito used; painted inscription called dipinto, , mosaic inscription—such found largely in north africa, spain, , east—are called opus musivum. common practice in greco-roman world make use of slabs inscribed, is, take reverse of slab used inscription inscribing of christian one; such slab called opisthograph.

the form of christian inscriptions not differ of non-christian inscriptions contemporary them, except when sepulchral in character, , in case of tituli of catacombs. forms of stone sepulchral inscriptions differ in greek east , latin west. common form in east upright stele (greek: στήλη, block or slab of stone), ornamented fillet or projecting curved moulding; in west slab closing of grave used. majority of graves (loculi) in catacombs closed thin, rectangular slabs of terracotta or marble; graves called arcosolia covered heavy, flat slabs, while on sarcophagi panel (tabula) or disk (discus) reserved on front wall inscription.

artistic value

the majority of christian inscriptions, viewed technical , paleographical standpoint, give evidence of artistic decay: applies tituli of catacombs, are, rule, less finely executed non-christian work of same time. striking exception formed damasine letters introduced in 4th century furius dionysius filocalus, calligraphist of pope damasus i. other forms of letters did not vary employed ancients. important classical capital writing, customary time of augustus; 4th century on gradually replaced uncial writing, cursive characters being more or less confined graffito inscriptions.

language

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.