Some New Christian Funerary Inscriptions from Savatra and Surroundings

This contribution presents five newly found Christian funerary inscriptions from the Lycaonian city of Savatra (Yağlıbayat). One of these (no. 2) was unearthed at Savatra during the excavations, while the others were found during the surveys in and around the Yağlıbayat village. Numerous epigraphic finds previously discovered in Savatra and the surrounding area provide valuable evidence of the rise of Christianity in the city. The newly presented inscriptions also offer important information about the religious and social structures of Savatra during the Christian period. The inscriptions contain the personal names as Basilissa (no. 1), Longinus (no. 2), Timodemos’ son Nestor (no. 3), Pauli[-] and Ampe[-] (no. 4), Sousanna’s husband Papas, son(?) of Alexandros (no. 5). Important expressions, terms and concepts are included such as σῆμα τόδ’ ἔπλετο, deacon(ess), ἔργα πέλι θνητ[οῖς (no. 1); διαφέρον(τα), polites, ὀνόματα δέκα (no. 2); Holy Trinity (no. 3) and M/marty[-(no. 4). Two inscriptions contain warnings regarding the protection of the tomb: one (no. 2) states that anyone who lays hand on the tomb will give account to God; the other (no. 3) warns the offender will enrage the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.