Greek inscription from the sarcophagus of the Exarch Isaac (Ravenna, Italy)
In the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, a fifth-century sarcophagus with a scene of the Magi bearing gifts to the child Jesus seated on the Virgin's lap, displays a 7th century inscription on the lid in both Latin and Greek. The sarcophagus was reused for the burial of Isaac, Exarch of Ravenna. The exarch was the political representative of the Byzantine Emperor in Italy. Isaac was exarch from ca. 625-643.
Translated the inscription reads:
"Here lies he who was leader of the army and who for 18 years kept Rome and the West safe for the serene sovereigns: Isaac, support of the emperors, great glory of all Armenia, descended as he was from glorious Armenian stock. After his glorious death his wise wife Susannah grieved without cease, like a pure dove, deprived of her husband who by his mighty deeds acquired fame in East and West, since from the West and the East he led his armies" (Deliyannis, Ravenna in Late Antiquity, 280).
For more photos, travel stories, and musings on religion and history, follow me on Twitter and BlueSky @arturoviaggia and on Mastodon @arturoviaggia@zirk.us
Greek inscription from the sarcophagus of the Exarch Isaac (Ravenna, Italy)
In the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, a fifth-century sarcophagus with a scene of the Magi bearing gifts to the child Jesus seated on the Virgin's lap, displays a 7th century inscription on the lid in both Latin and Greek. The sarcophagus was reused for the burial of Isaac, Exarch of Ravenna. The exarch was the political representative of the Byzantine Emperor in Italy. Isaac was exarch from ca. 625-643.
Translated the inscription reads:
"Here lies he who was leader of the army and who for 18 years kept Rome and the West safe for the serene sovereigns: Isaac, support of the emperors, great glory of all Armenia, descended as he was from glorious Armenian stock. After his glorious death his wise wife Susannah grieved without cease, like a pure dove, deprived of her husband who by his mighty deeds acquired fame in East and West, since from the West and the East he led his armies" (Deliyannis, Ravenna in Late Antiquity, 280).
For more photos, travel stories, and musings on religion and history, follow me on Twitter and BlueSky @arturoviaggia and on Mastodon @arturoviaggia@zirk.us