Lapidis fata ignoramus: A re-examination of the Palmyrene funerary relief of the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia (Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2448-1750.revmae.2025.233002Keywords:
Palmyra, Palmyrene portraiture , Palmyrene Aramaic, prosopographyAbstract
The Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia of the Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil) possesses a Palmyrene funerary relief, which is one of the two pieces of its kind preserved in Latin America. This paper re-examines the relief through an iconographic, epigraphic, and prosopographical analysis. First, we offer data on the acquisition history of the piece, as well as an interpretation of its main iconographic elements. Secondly, the Palmyrene Aramaic epitaph of the relief (PAT 0650) is examined through its transliteration, translation, paleographic notes, and an onomastic analysis of each of the anthroponyms mentioned. Finally, a prosopographical commentary is offered based on the genealogical links of the epitaph with two other inscribed reliefs (PAT 0651 and PAT 0652).
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