The Madaba Mosaic Map

To date, no comprehensive collation of all the places and all the texts on the Madaba Mosaic Map (introductory page) appears to exist. Avi-Yonah's edition, which suffered from the unfortunate fact that the author never saw the mosaic with his own eyes, is now out of date and lacks later-identified texts. The late Herbert Donner's edition planned in the 1960s was never completed and his handbook is necessarily brief. Piccirillo's and Alliata's tabulations were no more than stopgaps. This page seeks to remedy that problem.

The numbering at left, from 1 to 184, is my own, but the previous numbering schemes, by Piccirillo, Avi-Yonah, Alliata and Donner, are laid out at the right to assist easy matching with the literature. All locations on the mosaic which are identifiable by name are named in the second column with hyperlinks. The links have been designed so that the landing spot on the mosaic will be lit up with a red circle on arrival.[*]To copy these links into Twitter, email or another app on a Windows computer, right-click the link and choose "copy link address. This provides a URL to uniquely refer to that position on the mosaic.

The accented Greek text in this table is that of Piccirillo, which has not been surpassed. Where he indicated damaged or conjectured letters using a notation of dots and parentheses, as epigraphers do,I have employed a system of colors instead. To spare clutter,translations are only offered as necessary, that is, where the mosaic text presents something more than a simple place-name. The documentary sources are principally those above, but in some cases the sources are in unexpected locations, such as Donner's 1967 article describing the mosaic's restoration, and these are noted at right.

Piggin No. Geographically
identifiable as:		 Mosaic Text Translation Pic. No. Avi No. Alli. No. Don. No. Sources
1 Sarephtha Σαρεφθὰ ἡ Μακρὰ Κώμη ὅπου τέκνον ἠγέρθη ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἡκείνῃ Sarephtha which is the long village; there the child has been resuscitated that day 1 148 1 On Fragment C: Germer-Durand 1901 (pavage); Avi-Yonah, 77 (corridor[sic])
2 (unidentifiable) ΜΩ——
ΠΕΙ——		 2 x 2 On Fragment B: Donner 1967, 33; Piccirillo
3 Zabulon Ζαβουλων παράλιος κατοικήσει καὶ παρατένει ἕως Σιδῶνος Zebulon shall dwell at the haven of the sea and his border shall be unto Zidon [Gen 49:13] 3 147 3 On Fragment B: Avi-Yonah, 77; Donner 1967, 33
4 Acchabaron Αγβαρων 4 146 4 On Fragment A: Avi-Yonah, 77; Donner 1967, 32
5 Amathus Αμμαθους 5 x 5 1 Donner 1967, 21
6 Aenon Αινων ἡ ἐγγὺς τοῦ Σαλημ ἡ κ(αὶ) Σαλουμιας Aenon, near Salem which is also Salumias 6 1 6 2 Donner 1967, 20
7 Koreae Κορεους 7 2 7 4
8 Phasaelis Φασαηλις 8 3 8 22
9 Archelais Ἀρχελαΐς 9 4 9 23
10 Galgala Γαλγαλα τὸ καὶ Δωδεκαλιθον Galgala, also the Twelve Stones 10 5 10 26
11 St Elisha's Τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Ἐλισαίου The (sanctuary) of St Elisha 11 26 11 24
12 Jericho Ἱεριχω 12 25 12 25
13 Ebal Γεβαλ 13 27 13 33
14 Gerizim Γαριζείν 14 28 14 33
15 Aenon Αινων ἔνθα νῦν ὁ Σαπσαφας Aenon, where now is Sapsaphas 15 6 17 5
16 Bethabara Βεθαβαρα 16 7 18 6
17 (gloss) τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Ἰωάννου τοῦ βαπτίσματος Place of baptism of St. John 16 7a 18a
18 Alon Atath Ἅλων Αταθ ἡ νῦν Βηθαγλα Alon Atath, today Bethagla 17 8 19 27
19 (Hot Baths) of Baaru Βααρου 18 9 20 9
20 Hot Baths of Callirhoe Θερμὰ Καλλιρόης 19 10 21 10
21 Dead Sea Ἁλυκὴ ἡ καὶ Ἀσφαλτῖτις Λίμνη ἡ καὶ Νεκρὰ Θάλασσα The Salt Lake, or Lake of Asphalt, also Dead Sea 20 11 22 17
22 Aia Αια 21 12 26 13
23 Tharais Θαραις 22 13 27 14
24 Betomarsea Βητομαρσεα ἡ κ(αὶ) Μαιουμᾶς Betomarsea also Maiumas 23 14 28 12
25 Charach Moba Χαραχμωβα 24 15 29 11
26 Zared river Ζαρεδ 25 16 30 15
27 To Petra Πέτρα ἐν γῇ Ἐδὼμ τῆς Ἀραβίας ἡ κ(αὶ) Ἰεχθοὴλ ἡ κ(αὶ) Ῥεκέμ, ἔνθα ἐπάταξεν Ἀμεσσίας τὸν Ἐδὼμ ἐν ΓηΜΕΛα Petra in the land of Edom, also Iechtoel… 26 x 31 16
28 St Lot's Τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Λωτ The (sanctuary) of Saint Lot 27 17 23 19
29 Balak Βαλακ ἡ κ(αὶ) Σηγωρ ἡ νῦν Ζοορα Balak also Segor, now Zoara 28 18 24 18
30 Desert Ἐρημία 29 19 25 20
31 East Border of Judaea Ἀνατολικὸν ὅριον τῆς Ἰουδαίας 30 29 32 29
32 Akrabim Ακραβιμ ἡ νῦν Ακραβιττινη Akrabim, now Akrabittine 31 30 33 30
33 Selo Σηλω ἔν(θ)α ἷν ἡ κιβωτός Selo, where the ark stayed 32 31 34 31
34 Nablus Νεάπολις Neapolis 33 32 35 32
35 Dothaim Δωθαειμ, ἔνθα εὗρεν Ἰωσὴφ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς νέμοντας Dothaim, where Joseph found his brothers pasturing [Gen. 37:17] 34 x 36 38 Donner 1967, 25
36 (region) Κλῆρος Εφραιμ Ephraim's Allotment 35 38 37 39
37 Sychar Συχαρ ἡ νῦν Συχωρα Sychar which is now Sycchora 36 33 38 34
38 Joseph's Τὸ τοῦ Ἰωσήφ The (tomb) of Joseph 37 34 39 35
39 Sychem Συχέμ ἡ κ(αὶ) Σίκιμα κ(αὶ) Σαλημ Sychem also Sikima and Salim 38 34a 40 36
40 Jacob's Well Ὅπου ἡ πηγὴ τοῦ Ἰακώβ Here is Jacob's well 39 35 41 37
41 Tur Ebal Τουρ Γωβηλ 40 36 42 33
42 Tur Garizin Τουρ Γαριζίν 41 37 43 33
43 (gloss) Ἰωσὴφ εὐλόγησέν σε ὁ Θεὸς εὐλογίαν γῆς ἐχούσης πάντα καὶ πάλιν ἀπ’ εὐλογίας Κ(υρίο)υ ἡ γῆ αὐτοῦ Joseph: 'God shall bless thee with the blessing of the deep that lieth underneath' and again 'Blessed of the Lord be his land' 42 39 44 28
44 Theraspis Θερασπις 43 40 45 40
45 Ephron Εφρων ἡ Εφραια ἔνθα ἧλθεν ὁ Κ(ύριο)ς Ephron also Ephraia, where went the Lord 44 41 46 43
46 Rimmon Ρεμμων 45 42 47 44
47 Luza Λουζα ἡ καὶ Βεθηλ Luza, also Bethel 46 43 48 45
48 Sams Σα—— 47 44 49 46
49 Aialamon Αιλαμων ἔνθα ἔστη ἡ σελήνη ἐπὶ τοῦ Ναυη Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς μ(ία)ν ἑμήραν Ailamon, where stood the moon in the time of Joshua 48 45 50 47
50 Gophna Γοφνα 49 46 51 48
51 Gabaon Γαβαων 50 47 52 50
52 Rama Ραμα 51 48 53 49
53 Arimathea Αρμαθεμ ἡ Αριμαθεα Armathaim, also Arimathea 52 49 54 51
54 (gloss) Βενιαμὶν σκιάζει ὁ Θ(εὸ)ς ἐπ’ αὐτῷ καὶ ἀνάμεσον τῶν ὁρίων αὐτοῦ κατέπαυσεν Benjamin, God shields him and he shall dwell between his mountains [Deut. 33:12] 53 50 55 41
55 Gethsemane Γηθσιμανη 54 51 57 52
56 Jerusalem Ἡ ἁγία πόλις Ἰερουσαλήμ The Holy City Jerusalem 55 52 56
57 (region) Κλῆρ(ος Βενιαμιν) Benjamin's Allotment 56 53 59 42
58 The Fourth Mile Τὸ τέταρτον 57 54 60 53
59 The Ninth Mile Τὸ ἔννα(τον) 58 55 61 54
60 Bethoron Βεθωρων 59 56 62 55
61 Kapheruta Κα ... ρουτα 60 57 63 56
62 Betomelgezis Βετομελγεζις 61 60 64 59
63 Adiathim Αδιαθιμ ἡ νῦν Αδιθα Adiathim now Aditha 62 59 65 58
64 Modeim Μωδεειμ, ἡ νῦν Μωθιδα, ἐκ ταύτης ἧσαν οἱ Μακκαβαῖοι Modiim, now Moditha, whence came the Maccabees 63 58 66 57
65 Aceldama Ακελδαμα 64 71 58 70
66 Thamna Θαμνα ἔνθα ἔκειρεν Ἰούδας τὰ αὐτοῦ πρόβατα Thamna, where Judah sheared his sheep 65 72 67 71
67 Anob Ανωβ, ἡ νῦν Βητοανναβα Anob now Betoannaba 66 73 68 72
68 Nicopolis Νικόπολις 67 74 69 73
69 Gedur Γεδουρ, ἡ κ(αὶ) Γιδιρθα Gedur, also Gidirtha 68 75 70 74
70 Ephratha Εφραθα 69 76 71 75
71 Bethlehem Βηθλεέμ 70 78 72 77
72 Rama (Voice) Ραμα. Φωνὴ ἐν Ραμα ἠκούσθη Rama, "A voice was heard in" 71 77 73 76
73 (region) Κλῆρος Ἰούδα Judah's Allotment 72 84 74 78
74 Thekoa Θεκουε 73 79 75 79
75 Bethzur Βεθσουρα 74 80 76 80
76 The (church) of Saint Philip Τὸ τοῦ ἁγ(ίου) Φιλίππου Ἔνθα λέγουσι βαπτισθῆναι Κανδακην τὸν εὐνοῦχον The (church) of Saint Philip, where Candaces the Eunuch is said to have been baptized 75 81 77 81
77 Arbo Αρβω ἡ καὶ Τερέβινθος Arbo, also the Terebinth 76 82 78 82
78 The Oak of Mambre Ἡ δρῦς Μαμβρη 77 83 78a 82
79 Socho Σωχώ Socho 78 85 79 83
80 Bethzacharia Βεθζαχαρ 79 86 80 84
81 The (place) of Saint Zacharias Τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Ζαχαρίου 80 87 80a 84
82 Saphitha Σαφιθα 81 88 81 85
83 The (place) of St Micah Τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Μιχαίου 82 89 82 86
84 Morasthi Μορασθι ὅθεν ἧν Μιχαίας ὁ προφ(ήτης) Morasthi whence was Micah the Prophet 83 90 83 86
85 Eleutheropolis Ελευθεροπολις 84 90,5 84 87
86 (unidentified) ...ΙΡΑ ... ira 85 61 85 60
87 Lod Λωδ ἤτοι Λυδεα ἤ κ(αὶ) Διόσπολις Lod also Lydea, called also Diospolis 86 62 86 61
88 Sapharea Σαφαρεα 87 63 87 62
89 Betodegana Βετοδεγανα 88 64 88 63
90 (region) Κλῆρος Δαν Dan's Allotment 89 65 89 64
91 (gloss) Ἵνα τί παροικεῖ πλοίοις; Why did (Dan) remain in ships? [Judg 5:17] 90 66 90 65
92 St Jonah's Τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Ἰωνᾶ The (sanctuary) of Saint Jonah 91 67 91 66
93 Geth Γεθ, ἡ νῦν Γιττα, μία πότε τῶν ε σατραπίων Geth, now Gitta, one of the five satrapies 92 69 92 68
94 Enetaba Ενεταβα 93 68 93 67
95 Jabneel Ιαβνηλ ἡ καὶ Ἰάμνια Jabneel, which is also Jamnia 94 70 94 69
96 Accaron Ακκαρων ἡ νῦν Ακκαρα Accaron, which is now Accara 95 91 95 88
97 Ashdod Ασδωδ ἡ καὶ Ἄζωτος Ashdod, which is also Azotus 96 92 96 90
98 Azotus Paralus Ἄζωτος πάραλος 97 93 97 90
99 (Sanctuary) of the (martyred) Egyptians Τὸ τῶν Αἰγυπτίων 98 95 102 92
100 Ascalon Ἀσκαλών 99 94 103 91
101 Praesidium Πρασιδιν 100 20 98 94
102 Thamara Θαμαρα 101 21 99 95
103 Moa Μωα 102 22 100 96
104 Mampsis Μαμψις 103 96 101 93
105 Beersheba Βηρσαβεε ἡ νῦν Βηροσσαβα Ἕως ταύτης τὰ ὅρια τῆς Ἰουδαίας τὰ πρὸς νότον ἀπὸ Δαν, τῆς πρὸς Πανεαδι, ἥτις ὀρίζει τὰ πρὸς βορράν Beersheba, today Berosabba. The Judea/Dan boundary 104 98 104 99
106 Arad Αραδ, ἐξ ἧς οἱ Ἀράδιοι Arad, whence the Aradites 105 99 105 100
107 Asemona Ασεμωνα πόλις ἐπὶ τῆς ἐρήμου διορίζουσα Αἴγυπτον καὶ τὴν εἰς θάλασσαν διέξοδον Asemona city by the desert, bordering Egypt and sea exits 106 100 106 101
108 Gerara Γεραρα 107 101 107 102
109 (gloss) Γεραρα, βασιλική ποτε πόλις τῶν Φυλιστιαίων καὶ ὅριον τῶν Χαναναίων τὸ πρὸς νότον ἔνθα τὸ Γεραριτικὸν σάλτον Gerara, royal city of the Philistines and border of Canaanites to south, where Saltus Gerariticus is 108 101a 107a 102
110 Jattir Ιεθορ, ἡ καὶ Ιεθηρα Iethor, also called Iethera 109 102 108 103
111 Elusa Ἔλουσα 110 103 109 104
112 Photis Φωτις 111 104 110 105
113 Orda Ορδα 112 105 111 106
114 (region) Κλῆρος Συμεών Simeon's Allotment 113 106 112 107
115 Oga Ωγα 114 107 113 108
116 Asalea Ασαλεα 115 108 114 109
117 (unidentified) ———ΩΝ -on (Anthedon?) 116 108,1 115 110
118 Sobila Σωβιλα 117 109 116 111
119 Bethagidea Βεθαγιδεα 118 110 117 112
120 Edrain Εδραιν 119 111 118 113
121 Thauatha Θαυαθα 120 112 119 114
122 Seana Σεανα 121 113 120 115
123 Madebena Μαδεβηνα ἡ νῦν Μηνοϊς Madebena, which is now Menois 122 114 121 116
124 Sycomazon Συκομαζων 123 115 122 117
125 Gaza Γαζα 124 116 123 118
126 Maiumas Μαιουμᾶς ἡ καὶ Νεάπολις Maiumas, which is also Neapolis 125 118 124 119
127 St Victor's Τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Βίκτορος (Sanctuary) of Saint Victor 126 117 125 120
128 (Sanctuary) of Saint Hilarion Τὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Ἱλαρίωνος 127 x 126 121 Donner 1967, 28
129 Raphia Ῥαφία 128 119 127 122
130 Betylium Βητυλιον 129 120 128 123
131 Border of Egypt and Palestine Ὅροι Αἰγύπτου κ(αὶ) Παλαιστίνης 130 121 129 124
132 Rhinocorura Ῥινοκόρουρα 131 122 130 125
133 Ostracine Ὀστρακίνη 132 123 131 126
134 Casium Τὸ Κασιν 133 124 132 127
135 Pentaschoinon Τὸ Πεντασχοινον 134 125 133 128
136 Aphnaeum Τὸ Ἀφθαίον 135 126 134 129
137 Serpent Desert Ἔρημος ἔνθα τοὺς Ἰσραηλίτας ἔ(σ)ω(σ)ιν ὁ χαλκοὺς ὄφις Desert where the serpent of brass saved the Israelites 136 23 135 21
138 Raphidim Ραφιδιμ ἔνθα ἐπελθόντι τῷ Αμαληκ ὁ Ἰσραὴλ ἐπολέμησεν Raphidim, where Israel fought against approaching Amalek [Exod. 17: 8-16] 137 97 136 98
139 Desert of Zin Ἔρημος Σιν ὅπου κατεπέμφθη τὸ μάννα κ(αὶ) ἡ ὀρτυγομήτρα Wilderness of Zin where manna and quails were sent down 138 24 137 97
140 Pelusiac (arm) Πηλουσιακόν 139 127 138 130
141 Pelusium Τό Πηλούσιν 140 132 139 134
142 The (city) of Nikiu Ἡ Νικίου 141 133 140 135
143 Athribis Αθριβις 142 134 141 136
144 Sethroitis Σεθροΐτης 143 135 142 137
145 Tanis Τανις 144 136 143 138
146 Thmuis Θμουις 145 137 144 139
147 Thenessus Θεννησος 146 138 145 140
148 Saitic (arm) Σαϊτικόν 147 129 146 131
149 Sais Σάϊς 148 139 147 141
150 Sebennytic (arm) Σεβεννυτικόν 149 128 148 132
151 Xois Ξοις 150 140 149 142
152 Bucolic (arm) Βουκολικόν 151 130 150
153 Bulbytic (arm) Βολβυτικόν 152 131 151 133
154 The (city) of Paulinus Ἡ Παυλίνου 153 141 152 143
155 Hermupolis Ἑρμούπολις 154 142 153 144
156 Chortaso Χορτασω 155 143 154 145
157 Kaenupolis Καινούπολ(ις) 156 144 155 146
158 The (city) of Chaireus Ἡ Χαιρέου 157 145 156 147
159 Salumias [no label] 3 alluded to in Ainon label
160 Bethnamran [no label] 5,4 15 7 Donner 1967, 22
161 Livias [no label] 5,5 16 8 Donner 1967, 22
162 A watch tower [no label]
163 A village in Dan 1 [no label]
164 A village in Dan 2 [no label]
165 A village in Dan 3 [no label]
166 A village in Dan 4 [no label]
167 A paddy [no label]
168 Wadi Zarqa Ma'in [no label] x x Donner 1967, 23
169 Eglayim [no label] x x Donner 1967, 24
170 Safed [no label] 146 Avi-Yonah, 77; Donner 1967, 32
171 Meiron [no label] 146 Avi-Yonah, 77; Donner 1967, 32
172 A northerly ferry [no label] Avi-Yonah, 35
173 Southern Ferry at Makhadet Umm esh-Shurat [no label] Avi-Yonah, 35
174 Jordan River [no label]
175 Wadi el Malih [no label] Avi-Yonah, 35
176 Wadi Mukellik [no label]
177 Arnon [no label]
178 Wadi Meshash [no label]
179 Wadi Areijeh [no label]
180 Grave of Amos [no label]
181 Azeka [no label] 87,5 84
182 Socho (Givat) [no label] 38,5
183 (unidentified) [no label] a vignette which seems supernumerary
184 (unidentified) [no label] a vignette for which the identifying text has vanished

The table above could be further enhanced by listing the identifiable buildings of the six main cities including Jerusalem on the mosaic. A collation is always a work in progress. The database exists as an MS Excel file MadabaPlaces.xlsx. Please draw my attention to any errors so they can be fixed.

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