Lapis lazuli scarab: Greek text

PP-ID:

PP-922

Classification:

gem, magical; gem, scarab

Collection ID:

UK-BM-BEP_EA56277

Collection:

London, British Museum

Collection Inventory:

EA56277

Reference Numbers:

Bonner 1951, no. 48; Michel, BM, no. 563; Michel, DMG, no. 50.3_1; CBd, no. 922

Former Collections:

Hay, Robert James (1799–1863)

Material:

lapis lazuli (blue)

Dimensions:

16 × 33 × 12 mm

Date:

3rd c. AD (Michel)

Divine Names & Voces:

Ἀβλαναθαναλβα, palindrome; Ἀκραμμαχαμαρεί and variants

Lapis lazuli scarab with outstretched double wings, set on a rectangular inscription tablet.
Acquired in 1868.

Eight lines of Greek inscription on the tablet: κθεντεβ|ερνεχυρτ|ουοπρστυ|φχψουεσ|βερινιομε||γασενουρα|νωαμην|αμην → the letters ο - ψ in alphabetic order (3–4); ὁ μέγας ἐν οὐρανῷ ἀμὴν ἀμήν (5–8) ’Great One in heaven, Amen, Amen’.
Three lines of Greek inscription on the left wing: αβλα|ναθα|ναλβα → Ἀβλαναθαναλβα-palindrome.
Four lines of Greek inscription on the right wing: ακρα|μμα|χαμα|ρε → variant of Ἀκραμμαχαμαρεί.

Selected bibliography
• Bonner 1951 >>, no. 48; click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Michel, BM >>, 327–328, no. 563; click here for the full-text excerpt.
• Michel, DMG >>, no. 50.3_1.