Description

Fragment of a marble table leg surmounted by a lion head. The leg bears the Greek inscription τοῦ ἁγίου Μηνᾶ* (tou agiou mena), which means “of Saint Mina”. This reminds us with the inscription εὐλογία τοῦ ἁγίου Μηνᾶ (eulogia tou agiou mena, meaning "blessing of Saint Mina"), which can be found on some of the Ampullae of Saint Mina. These ampullae, made of terracotta, were intended to receive the oil of the lamps suspended above the saint's tomb or holy water of the site of Abu Mena at Mariotis near Alexandria, and were kept piously by the pilgrims for blessing. The typical scene on such ampullae showed Saint Mena wearing a tunic and cloak, flanked by two camels. The context of the inscription on the leg we have here is, however, unclear.

 

* Sincere thanks to Dr. Mohamed El-Maghraby for his assistance in reading the inscription.