The cathedral of Saint George of the Greek Orthodox, located in Nejmeh square, Down Town Beirut, features a column bearing a unique inscription, discovered during the 1990s archaeological excavations.
Column
The column is made out of marble, measuring 1.72m height with a 62cm diameter. It features two inscriptions, one in Latin and the other in Greek.
Latin Inscription
The first inscription is dedicated by Publius Marius Quartus, a decorated Knight, to his beloved country. It dates back between the 1st and the 3rd century AD.
The inscription reads – Patriae dulcissimae (To his beloved country), Publius Marius Quartus (name of the giver), equo public ornatus (decorated with the public horse), II (uir – refering to duumvir, meaning Officer), sua pecunia fecit (did this at his costs. )
Greek Inscription
Opposite the first inscription, one can read ΚT [—-] XΝ; “K” at the beginning maybe read as ύριε – meaning “Kyrios”; Master. The inscription may refer to a Christian invocation to the Lord, without certainty. It dates back between the 4th and 7th century AD.
Karim Sokhn
Tour Operator & Tour Guide
Reference:
Nouvelles inscriptions romaines et byzantines de Béryte, Julien Aliquot
