Eulogiae II

 

Eulogiae were souvenirs that pilgrims brought back from the holy places they visited. These objects were often metal or terra cotta medallions with images on them. Qalʿat Samʿān, to the north of Aleppo, attracted large numbers of pilgrims because it was the place where St. Simeon (390-459 CE) had lived as a hermit on top of a pillar. Eulogiae from this site represented St. Simeon standing on his pillar, with the hood of his monk's robe on his head. On one of the eulogiae shown here, only the upper part of his body is visible above the balustrade around his platform; the ladder for mounting there leans against the pillar. Above his head is a cross, and on either side are angels holding wreaths, symbolizing the triumph of the martyrs and saints. The other eulogia represents the adoration of the Magi, a very popular pictorial theme in the Christian world at the time.  

Provenance: Church of Saint Simeon Stylites

Substance: terra cotta. 

Dimensions: 3 x .9 and 3 x 1.1 cm. 

Era: circa 500 CE.  

Text: Michel Fortin (translated from French by Jane Macaulay). 

Photo: Jacques Lessard. 

Collection of the National Museum of Damascus. 

 

Michel Fortin, Syria, Land of Civilization. Les Éditions de l'Homme, Musée de la Civilisation de Québec 1999.