Corpus inscriptionum Iudaeae/Palaestinae. Volume III, South Coast, 2161-2648 : a multi-lingual corpus of the inscriptions from Alexander to Muhammad

The first volume of the Corpus Inscriptionum Iudaeae/Palaestinae covers the inscriptions of Jerusalem from the time of Alexander to the Arab conquest in all the languages used for inscriptions during those times: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Latin, Syrian, and Armenian. The 1,120 texts have been arranged in categories based on three epochs: up to the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70, to the beginning of the 4th century, and to the end of Byzantine rule in the 7th century. "Anyone involved in the study of ancient Iudaea/Palaestina and its vicinity has felt the need for a comprehensive work containing all the inscriptions in various languages found in the region. The lack of such a work was all the more regrettable, as the material concerns not only those interested in the region, but also students of a great variety of related subjects, such as the history of the ancient Near East, ancient Jewish history and early Christianity, and, of course, historians of the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. A group of scholars from Israel and Germany is now producing such a corpus. It contains all the inscriptions from the time of Graeco-Roman rule in the area, from the time of Alexander until the end of Byzantine rule in Palestine around 640. The territory covered is the strip between the Mediterranean and the river Jordan, the Negev, and the Golan Heights. Unlike traditional corpora of inscriptions it is intended to include inscriptions in all languages represented: not only Greek and Latin, but also Semitic languages, primarily Hebrew, Aramaic (Jewish, Samaritan, Nabataean, Christian and Syriac), Thamudic and the Caucasian languages. The advantages of such a Corpus are obvious: all cultural phenomena expressed in inscriptions can be seen together. The inscriptions are presented within their specific context, and complemented by a translation and commentary; where available, the texts are accompanied by a reproduction. Each volume of the edition is dedicated to a specific region: Vol. 1 Jerusalem, Vol. 2 Caesarea and the Middle Coast, Vol. 3 South Coast, Vol. 4 Judea/Idumea, Vol. 5 Galilee, Vol. 6 Negev. The whole Corpus is planned to be published by 2020"--Publisher's website

This third volume of the Corpus Inscriptionum Iudaeae/Palaestinae includes inscriptions from the South Coast from the time of Alexander through the end of Byzantine rule in the 7th century. It includes all the languages used in the inscriptions of this period – Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Aramaic, Samaritan, Christian Palestinian Aramaic, and Nabataean. The 488 texts are classified according to city, from Tel Aviv in the north to Raphia in the South.

Der vierte Band des Corpus Inscriptionum Iudaeae/Palaestinae umfasst die Inschriften der Gebiete Iudaeas und Idumaeas von der Zeit Alexanders bis zum Ende der byzantinischen Herrschaft im 7. Jahrhundert in allen Sprachen, die damals für Inschriften verwendet wurden: Griechisch, Latein, Hebräisch, Aramäisch, Samaritanisch, Christlich-Palästinisches Aramäisch, Georgisch, Armenisch. Die mehr als 1300 Texte sind geographisch nach den Fundorten in etwa von Lydda im Nordwesten bis Masada im Südosten geordnet. Der Band erfasst u.a. Städte wie Bethlehem, En Gedi, Eleutheropolis, Emmaus, Hebron, Herodion, Jericho, Maresha Biographical note: W. Ameling, Universität zu Köln; H.M. Cotton, Hebrew University Jerusalem; W. Eck, Universität zu Köln et al