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The Tale of Saint Abercius

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2013

Extract

The chief authority for the life of this saint is the biography by Symeon Metaphrastes, written about 900–50 A.D. It quotes the epitaph on the saint's tomb, and the question whether this epitaph is an original document of the second century A.D., or a later forgery, is one of the utmost importance for the early history of the Christian church, and of many literary points connected with it. The document is not very easily accessible, so that it may be well to quote it as it is given in the Life by Metaphrastes; the criticism of the text has been to a certain extent advanced by the metrical restorations proposed by Pitra and others.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies 1882

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References

page 339 note 1 See Acta Sanctorum, Oct. 22.

page 340 note 1 The words admit of a symbolical interpretation, see Lightfoot, , Epp. to Coloss., introd., p. 55ff.Google Scholar

page 340 note 2 See Bulletin Litteraire, Aug. 15, 1882.

page 340 note 3 Though it is always called Hierapolis in literary authorities, I shall use the form Hieropolis, given on coins and inscriptions, for the sake of distinction.

page 342 note 1 Such faults of grammar and metre as occur in this inscription show that the Phrygians spoke very bad Greek.

page 343 note 1 I need not here allude to the controversy that has arisen about Mommsen's theory as to the date of the Verona MS. The common dates for Silvius Polemius, and the Notitia Dignitatum, 385 and 405, may also be used as nearly true.

page 344 note 1 Waddington, M.Fastes de Prov. d'Asie, p. 27Google Scholar, has for once erred on this point. Arguing, I suppose, from the order of Hierocles who places Eucarpia first in his list, he says that the capital of Phrygia II. was Eucarpia: and it has been cȯmmon to say that Eucarpia was the original capital, and Synnada the later capital. But Hierocles wrote about 530, and it is quite certain that Synnada was the capital both before and after his time.

page 345 note 1 This date is always given for the composition of the Notitia Dignitatum, and is assumed by Mommsen, though the proof promised by Böeking, the editor, has not so far as I know been yet actually published.

page 345 note 2 Waddington, , Fastes de Prov. d'Asie, p. 16Google Scholar.

page 346 note 1 Cic. Fam. xv. 4, 2.

page 346 note 2 On this road and on the site of Cedrea see an article in the Mittheil. d. d. Instit. Athen, 1882, p. 140.

page 348 note 1 The earthquake that destroyed Smyrna, and the Emperor's generosity to the ruined city.

page 349 note 1 This arrangement is certain in 405 (Not. Dign.). The remarkable inscription of Poplius, given in C.I.G. 3188 after Constant. Porphyrog. de Them. 1. 3, perhaps proves that the Proconsul of Asia was after 297 supreme ruler of all Asia Minor west of Armenia.

page 349 note 2 On the native religion of Hieropolis see Trois Villes Phrygicnncs in Bull. Corr. Hell. 1882.

page 350 note 1 Hist. Eccles. V. 16.

page 350 note 2 Referred to by Wagener, in vol. xxx. of the Mem. of Academy of Brussels.

page 350 note 3 Bulletin Corr. Hell. 1882, p. 520.

page 350 note 4 Lebas, Inscr. As. Min. No. 727.

page 351 note 1 Trois Villes Phrygicnncs.