Kfar Hay’s ancient church features a inscription decorating an altar offered to Zeus, Greek god of the sky.
The inscription reads:
ЄTOYC OY MHNOC AYΔNAIOYΔHAPA MONIMO GKAICEINA CYIOIAIOY
“In the year 470, in themonth of Audinaios, Monimos and Segnas, sons of …., dedicated this altar to Zeus of …”
Altars were religious offerings used for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Kfar Hay’s altar may have been linked to a temple possibly dedicated to Zeus. The presence of a temple is attested through its stones fitted in the church’s walls.
No additional information are provided about this inscription and the history of Kfar Hay in antiquity.
Karim Sokhn
Tour Operator & Tour Guide
References:
The translation was provided by the curator of AUB’s Archaeological Museum.
