Socrates Menorah
Dublin Core
Title
Socrates Menorah
Subject
Socrates Menorah, Sardis, 1st half of 4th C. AD?, marble and stone
Description
DESCRIPTION
This was originally a seven-branched candlestick with a central vertical stem. Each branch, oval in section, has an incised lozenge pattern (L. 0.05, W. 0.022), carefully but monotonously cut. This pattern is to suggest stylized leaves of rhomboid shape. Between the branches is acanthus scroll open-work. This rinceau design starts and ends with flowers, arranged so that the long wave or stem rolls on to the next flower while a short arm curls inward to touch one of the two petals of the flower. The tops of the branches protruded through a cross bar, with a four-petalled rosette within the border on the end. The inscription is in the tabula, on two sides.
The work is highly competent, and the virtuosity of the open-work, done principally with the chisel, is outstanding. The surface is carefully smoothed but not glossy. Both epigraphic and archaeological evidence suggest the 4th C. A.D.
CONDITION
Large-grained white marble, reddish discoloration.
Outer two branches of candlestick on one side with part of horizontal inscribed cross bar; small fragments of two other branches, and piece of central stem preserved. Cement adheres to fragment of central stem.
DIMENSIONS
H. 0.565; radius of outer branch 0.47; second branch 0.34; section of branch 0.057; distance between branches 0.085. Inscription L. 0.17; H. of letters 0.032.
INSCRIPTION TEXT
(a) Σωκράτης [ - - - - το]ῦ οἴκου [ - - - - ]
(b) [ - - - ]ΣΙ[ - - - - - - - - γ]λύφου.
INSCRIPTION TRANSLATION
(a) “Sokrates [ - - - ] of the house (i.e., the synagogue) [ - - - ]”
(b) “[ - - - ] of the sculptor.”
This was originally a seven-branched candlestick with a central vertical stem. Each branch, oval in section, has an incised lozenge pattern (L. 0.05, W. 0.022), carefully but monotonously cut. This pattern is to suggest stylized leaves of rhomboid shape. Between the branches is acanthus scroll open-work. This rinceau design starts and ends with flowers, arranged so that the long wave or stem rolls on to the next flower while a short arm curls inward to touch one of the two petals of the flower. The tops of the branches protruded through a cross bar, with a four-petalled rosette within the border on the end. The inscription is in the tabula, on two sides.
The work is highly competent, and the virtuosity of the open-work, done principally with the chisel, is outstanding. The surface is carefully smoothed but not glossy. Both epigraphic and archaeological evidence suggest the 4th C. A.D.
CONDITION
Large-grained white marble, reddish discoloration.
Outer two branches of candlestick on one side with part of horizontal inscribed cross bar; small fragments of two other branches, and piece of central stem preserved. Cement adheres to fragment of central stem.
DIMENSIONS
H. 0.565; radius of outer branch 0.47; second branch 0.34; section of branch 0.057; distance between branches 0.085. Inscription L. 0.17; H. of letters 0.032.
INSCRIPTION TEXT
(a) Σωκράτης [ - - - - το]ῦ οἴκου [ - - - - ]
(b) [ - - - ]ΣΙ[ - - - - - - - - γ]λύφου.
INSCRIPTION TRANSLATION
(a) “Sokrates [ - - - ] of the house (i.e., the synagogue) [ - - - ]”
(b) “[ - - - ] of the sculptor.”
Files
Collection
Citation
“Socrates Menorah,” HAA Image Hosting, accessed May 17, 2026, https://haaimagehosting.omeka.fas.harvard.edu/items/show/1240.
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