E02840: Clay bread-stamp with Greek inscription invoking the blessing of *Paul (probably the Apostle, S00008), or of one of two martyrs of Caesarea (Paulos, S00164, or Paulos from Yamnia, a companion of *Pamphilos, S00140). Found in Caesarea Maritima (Roman province of Palaestina I), at the site of the presumed 'chapel of St. Paul'. Probably 5th-6th c.

Round bread-stamp of pinkish-red clay with a pyramidal handle. Diameter 0.104 m; Th. 0.01 m. Width of the handle 0.035 m; thickness of the handle 0.03 m. Broken and lost in the lower left-hand quarter (the photograph shows the object restored). Decorated, before hardening, with a cross with split arms under an arch interpreted by the editors as resting on colonnettes. Below the cross are probably two circles (only one survives) containing similar smaller crosses. The arch is surrounded by a row of dots. The outer sector of the surface is occupied by two bands. The inscription runs on the inner band. Letter height 0.005-0.007 m.

Found in Warehouse I , Area KK 17, locus 12, in a hall at the site of the so-called 'chapel of Paul' within the praetorium at Caesarea Maritima (for a description of this building, see: $E02853). Now in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.

First published by Leah Di Segni in 2000. Since then re-published several times by Joseph Patrich, and by Walter Ameling (2011).

Inscription:

εὐλογία Κ(υρίο)υ ἐνφ' ἡμᾶ[ς καὶ τοῦ ἁγίου Π]αύλο(υ)

ΕΝΦ Ameling, ΕΠΦ = ἐ{π}φ Di Segni

'(May the) blessing of the Lord (be) upon us, [and (the blessing) of Saint] Paul.'

Text: CIIP 2, no. 1163. Translation: W. Ameling.