Temple Warning Inscription

Jerusalem

(photo by S. Shoemaker)

This is a fragment from the middle of a plaque warning visitors not to proceed past a barrier guarding the Temple sanctuary, on pain of death. A complete copy of the plaque was also found. The whole inscription reads: No outsider shall enter the protective enclosure around the sanctuary. And whoever is caught will only have himself to blame for the ensuing death (translation by Hanson and Oakman, http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/greek/templewarning.html) For further information, see http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/greek/templewarning.html

D. Falk, 2002

dfalk@oregon.uoregon.edu